The only book that Fleming prepared regarding his discovery of the antibiotic properties of penicillin “Fleming made his discovery in 1928 and published his earliest paper on penicillin in 1929. But the substance was difficult to purify, and did not become available in large quantities until Howard Florey and Ernest Chain successfully mass-produced it at the beginning of the Second World War. It was during this conflict that penicillin proved its worth, successfully treating hundreds of thousands of Allied soldiers. The present volume was published shortly after the war”. The expectation was that penicillin would soon be available commercially, but "there was not yet an authoritative British book for the guidance of the practitioner in its use" (preface). It contains an introduction by Fleming on his discovery of penicillin and twenty-six other essays on the history, manufacture, and clinical use of the drug by "experienced and eminent men" who were among the earliest to experiment with and prescribe it. A key work on one of the most significant medical breakthroughs of the 20th century, published while the therapy was still "very young and rapidly evolving" (preface). Bibliography: Norman Library of Science & Medicine 800, Printing and the Mind of Man 420, Garrison-Morton medical bibliography 1933. Item Description First edition, and first printing of this fascinating volume on Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin, edited by Fleming himself. In this work, Fleming traces the discovery of penicillin, noting its practical application in medicine. The book is illustrated with 59 illustrations, including black and white figures, and photographic plates. Published by Butterworth & Co. Ltd., London, 1946. Publishers’ original blue cloth boards with gilt rules and lettering to spine. Book Dimensions: 22.5 x 14.5 cm and Number of Pages: 380 including index. Condition A well-preserved copy. Covers are firm and square, with light wear to corners, and to head and tail of spine. Internally; the book in very good condition indeed. No names or inscriptions. Text block is clean, free of markings. All illustrations are present. Inner hinges are very good, and pages are tightly held at gutters (Lovely Copy) (Please see pictures).