And the Oscar goes to . . . Salvarsan

At last, recognition for the unsung heroes of the movies. Film actors, directors, and producers have their Oscars, BAFTAs, and other awards, but until now no one has thought to applaud the roles of antibacterial drugs in cinema.

The authors of a new study list nearly 70 movies where antibacterial drugs are classed as playing major, supporting, or merely rub-on roles (Revista Española de Quimioterapia 2006;19:397-402).

The authors, from the department of preventive medicine at the University of Salamanca, write, “There are movies in which antibacterial agents form part of the central plot, while in others they are merely an important …