Chemistry vs. bacteria, # 11. Pride comes before a fall
Both the UK and the US greet M&B 693 or sulfapyridine with much enthusiasm. In the war years, this message about the sulfas is a much-needed piece of good news. Project ‘100 years of antibiotics’ Episode 9. In the crossfire Episode 10. International recognition Episode 11. Pride comes before a fall Episode 12. Lessons learned
Chemistry vs. bacteria, # 10. International recognition
In 1937 already, the medical profession in the United Kingdom, France and the United States recognizes the major importance of the sulfanilamide and the other sulfas; for different reasons in each country. Project ‘100 years of antibiotics’ Episode 8. The success of the sulfas; with a black rim Episode 9. In the crossfire Episode 10.
Chemistry vs. bacteria, episode 7. Aspirin
According to one version of the history of Aspirin, German chemist Felix Hoffmann who works with Bayer, has it all sorted out in 1897. Felix is 29 years old. As the story goes, his father suffers from arthritis and after having been administered the new substance, he lives through his first pain-free night in many
Chemistry vs. bacteria, episode 6. Gerhard Domagk and Prontosil, the first sulfa drug
The success of Salvarsan leads Paul Ehrlich to believe that he will quickly be able to eliminate many other pathogens. In 1914, he addresses the 7th International Medical Congress in London. In paraphrase he says: ‘All countries in the world are represented here, witnessing that all borders between nations have been eliminated in scientific cooperation.’
100 years of chemistry vs. bacteria, episode 3. Mercurochrome, Ehrlich’s chemotherapy the American way
In 1913, Hugh Hampton Young returns to the US from the international medical conference in London, deeply impressed by Paul Ehrlich’s chemotherapy. Young works as a surgeon at the Brady urological institute of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Following Ehrlich’s example and his results with Salvarsan, he enlarges the institute with a chemical department. Project
100 years of chemistry vs. bacteria, episode 2. Paul Ehrlich, Salvarsan and chemotherapy
In 1890, Robert Koch appoints Paul Ehrlich his assistant. Although Ehrlich (1854-1915) is above all a medical doctor (together with Emil Adolf von Behring he develops a vaccine against diphtheria), he is primarily fascinated by chemistry. Project ‘100 years of antibiotics’ Episode 1. Louis Pasteur vs. Robert Koch Episode 2. Paul Ehrlich, Salvarsan and chemotherapy
100 years of chemistry vs. bacteria, episode 1. Louis Pasteur vs. Robert Koch
In long-term conflicts, often we can hardly tell when they started, or what their origin was. And who played what part? Often, the beholder is the judge of the answer; or the latter depends on the moment of reflection on past events. Dutch 17th century history mentions four sea wars with the English. English history
