Category: History of medicine

During the American Civil War, Thedford's Black Draught was a widely known patent medicine, consumed by soldiers and civilians alike for its strong laxative properties. This historical remedy, known for its dark color and potent cathartic effects, offers insight into the era of unregulated proprietary medicines and their eventual pharmacological evolution.

The history of effective epilepsy treatment began in 1857 with the introduction of potassium bromide by English doctor Sir Charles Locock. While ancient civilizations used ineffective remedies based on superstition, bromide marked the pivotal entry into the modern, pharmacological era of treating seizures. This was a revolutionary shift that would pave the way for all subsequent antiepileptic drugs.

As far back as 3400 B.C.E., ancient Sumerians were cultivating the opium poppy, which they called the 'joy plant,' for its pain-relieving benefits [1.4.8]. This marks the beginning of a long history answering the question: what was the old medicine used for pain?

The use of the opium poppy for pain relief dates back to the Sumerians around 3400 B.C., who referred to the flower as 'hul gil,' the 'joy plant' [1.3.1]. But what is the oldest natural pain relief known to humankind, and what other remedies did our ancestors use?

In the 1930s, before modern antidepressants were developed, amphetamines were widely used to treat depression, offering what was then considered an effective way to elevate mood and increase energy. This stimulant, marketed under brand names like Benzedrine, became an early pharmacological approach to managing psychiatric conditions.

The synthesis of chlorpromazine in 1950 marked the beginning of modern psychopharmacology, transforming mental healthcare forever [1.2.3]. Before its discovery, treatments for severe mental illness were often drastic and included insulin shock therapy, sensory deprivation, and lobotomies [1.5.6]. So, **what was the first mental health drug** and how did it change everything?

In 1971, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a bulletin advising physicians to stop prescribing diethylstilbestrol (DES) to pregnant women. This pivotal moment was a direct response to mounting evidence that the synthetic estrogen, once thought to prevent miscarriage, was causing serious health problems in the children of women who took it.

First isolated in 1935, d-tubocurarine, the active component of curare, was the first neuromuscular blocker used in modern surgery, revolutionizing anesthesia. Despite its groundbreaking past, the question remains: is curare still used today?

Archaeological evidence of medicinal plant use may date back 60,000 years, prompting the question: which is the oldest drug in the world? [1.7.1] The answer lies deep in our prehistoric and ancient past, with opium being a prime candidate. [1.2.1]

First synthesized by chemists at Bayer AG in 1916, suramin originated from early medicinal chemistry research into antiparasitic dyes. This discovery set off a fascinating story of scientific innovation, political intrigue, and a secret formula, answering the question of where did suramin come from.