Category: Medical history

While roughly 40,000 tons of aspirin are produced annually, its origins are rooted in nature [1.3.1]. The question, **is aspirin from aspen trees**, reveals a fascinating history connecting botany, ancient remedies, and modern chemistry, though the answer isn't a simple yes or no.

In the early 20th century, the discovery and mass production of penicillin transformed medicine, curing thousands of once-fatal bacterial infections and leading many to call it the first "miracle drug". But as pharmacology has evolved, the question of **what is the miracle drug?** has become less about a single cure and more about how medical innovation changes our lives.

Bruce Lee died from cerebral edema (brain swelling), possibly triggered by a severe reaction to a painkiller he took. This tragic event has led to persistent questions, particularly concerning **what kind of pill did Bruce Lee take**, and whether that was truly the sole cause of his death.

Did you know the popular hemorrhoid ointment Preparation H was originally developed as a burn relief cream in the 1930s? The fascinating story of **who developed Preparation H** involves a brilliant, multifaceted scientist and a significant rebranding by a major pharmaceutical company.

With the eradication of smallpox preventing millions of deaths and vaccines averting up to 5 million more annually, humanity's medical achievements are profound. The question of **what is the greatest medicine ever**, however, requires considering various criteria, as different medicines have offered profoundly different benefits to global health.

As of October 2024, Eli Lilly is the most valuable drug company in the world with a market capitalization of $842 billion. This article explores the question: What is Eli Lilly known for, from its foundational role in medicine to its current market dominance?

The synthesis of chlorpromazine in 1950 marked the beginning of modern psychopharmacology, a decade that revolutionized psychiatric care [1.2.1]. This era introduced the first chemical agents that answered the question: **What were the mood stabilizers in the 1950s?**

First introduced into therapy in 1887, phenacetin was a widely used pain-relieving and fever-reducing drug for nearly a century before being banned [1.2.1, 1.6.3]. So, what does phenacetin do that led to its rise and dramatic fall from grace?

Introduced in 1910, Salvarsan was celebrated as the first effective treatment for syphilis, but it was an arsenic-based drug known for its severe side effects and challenging administration. This made the advent of a safer, more potent alternative inevitable, ultimately explaining why penicillin replaced Salvarsan as the superior treatment option in the mid-20th century.

Before the discovery of effective antibiotics, syphilis was a devastating disease, with complications accounting for an estimated 10-30% of mental hospital admissions in Europe and the United States in the early 20th century. The quest for a true "magic bullet" to cure syphilis led to groundbreaking discoveries that reshaped medicine, culminating in the development of a safe and highly effective treatment.