How Do You Spell ARSENOBENZOL?

1. Arsenobenzol, also known as Salvarsan, is a former preparation of a chemical compound called arsphenamine, which was used as a medical treatment for syphilis. It was one of the earliest and most significant drugs used to combat the disease.

   Arsenobenzol, also referred to as "606" due to its experimental code number, was discovered in 1909 by German scientist Paul Ehrlich. This organic arsenic compound was derived from the chemical combination of arsine (a toxic gas) with benzene derivatives. It was developed in response to the urgent need for an effective treatment for syphilis.

   The drug's mode of action was based on its ability to selectively target and destroy the syphilis-causing bacteria, Treponema pallidum. By binding to specific proteins within the bacteria, Arsenobenzol interfered with their metabolic processes, ultimately leading to their death.

   The discovery and subsequent use of arsenobenzol marked a turning point in the treatment of syphilis, as it provided a major breakthrough in effectively combating the disease. Prior to its introduction, there were limited treatment options available, most of which were less efficient and often accompanied by severe side effects.

   While arsenobenzol was revolutionary at the time, it is important to note that its usage diminished over the years due to the development of more effective and safer drugs, such as penicillin. Nonetheless, its historical significance in the treatment of syphilis remains significant, representing a landmark in the advancement of medical therapeutics.

2. A French make of salvarsan.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for ARSENOBENZOL

The word "arsenobenzol" is derived from the combination of two separate terms: "arseno-" and "benzol".

1. "Arseno-" comes from the element arsenic (symbol As) which has been known since ancient times and has its roots in the Greek word "arsenikon" meaning yellow orpiment. The term "arsenic" was later adopted in Latin as "arsenicum".

2. "Benzol" refers to a term used to describe the compound benzene, a colorless liquid hydrocarbon. The term "benzene" was coined by German chemist Eilhard Mitscherlich in 1833, by combining the name of the hydrocarbon benzin (derived from the German word "Benzin") with the suffix "-ene" to indicate its unsaturated structure.