Antimicrobial drugs
Subtitle: chronicle of a twentieth century medical triumph
By: David Greenwood.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Oxford; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 429
ISBN-13: 9780199534845
Subjects: Anti-infective agents -- History -- 20th century; Anti-Infective Agents -- history; History, 20th Century
Description: "Antimicrobial drugs developed in the twentieth century revolutionized the ability of doctors to manage life-threatening infectious diseases. Although a few useful drugs, notably quinine for malaria, were already known, it was Paul Ehrlich's quest for derivatives of dyes and arsenical chemicals, culminating in the antisyphilitic compound Salvarsan in 1910, that kick-started modern antimicrobial chemotherapy. In the 1930s a major breakthrough came with the first sulphonamides. Soon afterwards, Howard Florey and his team at Oxford turned Alexander Fleming's fortuitous discovery of penicillin into the first 'miracle drug', starting a frantic and outstandingly successful hunt for naturally occurring antibiotics and synthetic chemicals with antimicrobial properties. The rich harvest that ensued transformed the prospects for the cure of infections of all kinds, whether caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, or helminthic worms. Antimicrobial drugs have surely relieved more human and animal suffering than any other class of drugs in the history of medical endeavour." "The story of this extraordinary medical triumph encompasses tales of individual brilliance, remarkable team efforts, perseverance in the face of much frustration, international rivalry, and the rise of the global pharmaceutical industry. Though scientists and commerce produced the miracle and reaped the rewards, Lady Luck was never far from the scene, and her frequent interventions add extra spice to this truly fascinating story."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Agents of infection; title: Out of darkness; title: From quinine to sulphonamides (by way of serendipity); title: Wonder drugs; title: The taming of tuberculosis and leprosy; title: The golden years of pills and profits; title: Progress against parasites; title: The poor relations : fungi and viruses; title: The spectre at the feast.