Non-absorbent articles are disclosed. The non-absorbent articles include an effective amount of an aromatic inhibitory compound to substantially inhibit the production of exotoxins by Gram positive bacteria. The aromatic inhibitory compounds of the present invention have the general formula: ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of H, ##STR00002## and NH.sub.2 and salts thereof; R.sup.5 is a monovalent saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl moiety; R.sup.6 is a divalent saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl moiety; R.sup.7 is a trivalent saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl moiety; R.sup.8 is a monovalent substituted or unsubstituted saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl moiety which may or may not be interrupted with hetero atoms; R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, OH, COOH, and --C(O)R.sup.9; R.sup.9 is hydrogen or a monovalent saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbyl moiety.