Includes bibliographical references (p. 176-178) and index.

Magic bullets, miracle drugs -- A brief look at the history of antibiotics -- Bacteria reveal their adaptability, threatening the brief reign of antibiotics -- Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the news -- Antibiotics that inhibit bacterial cell wall construction -- Antibiotics that inhibit the synthesis of bacterial proteins -- Fluoroquinolones, sulfa drugs, and antituberculosis drugs -- Bacterial promiscuity: how bacterial sex contributes to development of resistance -- The looming crisis in antibiotic availability -- Antiseptics and disinfectants -- Antiviral, antifungal, and antiprotozoal compounds -- Appendix 1. Structures of antimicrobial agents mentioned in the text -- Appendix 2. How clinical laboratories measure resistance.