Antibacterial nitrofurfurylidene derivatives and methods of using same

The invention comprises the 5-nitro furfurylidene hydrazide of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and the manufacture thereof by reacting 5-nitrofurfural with 4-hydroxybenzhydrazide, preferably in the presence of water or aqueous dimethylformamide at a temperature between room temperature and the boiling point of the reaction medium. Pharmaceutical compositions having bactericidal properties and useful for treating infections of the intestines, rectum and genitalia and infected eczemas, comprise the foregoing compound in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. They may take the form of pills, granules, suppositories, ovules or ointments.