Overview

The development of dyes that attach to specific biological tissues inspired a search for medicines that would attack disease-producing organisms while leaving healthy tissue intact. After testing over 600 arsenic compounds, German research physician Dr. Paul Ehrlich (1854-1915) announced the development of Salvarsan, a highly specific cure for syphilis, a chronic, debilitating venereal disease. While more modern antibiotic therapies have since replaced Salvarsan, Ehrlich's discovery has had a major impact on modern immunology, biochemistry, and chemotherapy.

Background

In 1900, syphilis was a much feared but little discussed disease. In over half of all cases, the disease, after first surfacing as a small, painless swelling, or sore, would enter a latent period, which could extend for many years and was void of any symptoms. The disease...