Antimicrobial drugs

"Antimicrobial drugs developed in the twentieth century revolutionized the ability of doctors to manage life-threatening infectious diseases. Although a few useful drugs, notably quinine for malaria, were already known, it was Paul Ehrlich's quest for derivatives of dyes and arsenical chemicals, culminating in the antisyphilitic compound Salvarsan in 1910, that kick-started modern antimicrobial chemotherapy. In the 1930s a major breakthrough came with the first sulphonamides. Soon afterwards, Howard Florey and his team at Oxford turned Alexander Fleming's fortuitous discovery of penicillin into the first 'miracle drug', starting a frantic and outstandingly successful hunt for naturally occurring antibiotics and synthetic chemicals with antimicrobial properties. The rich harvest that ensued transformed the prospects for the cure of infections of all kinds, whether caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, or helminthic worms. Antimicrobial drugs have surely relieved more human and animal suffering than any other class of drugs in the history of medical endeavour." "The story of this extraordinary medical triumph encompasses tales of individual brilliance, remarkable team efforts, perseverance in the face of much frustration, international rivalry, and the rise of the global pharmaceutical industry. Though scientists and commerce produced the miracle and reaped the rewards, Lady Luck was never far from the scene, and her frequent interventions add extra spice to this truly fascinating story."--BOOK JACKET.

Beyond its central premise, the book can be read through the connected lenses of Nonfiction. Those themes offer useful points of attention as the characters, ideas, or world develop, especially where the book complicates the expectations of its primary category.