Historical development of toxicology
| dc.contributor.author | Radenkova–Saeva, J. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2012-05-07T13:18:23Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2012-05-07T13:18:23Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2008-06 | |
| dc.description | Address for correspondence: Julia Radenkova – Saeva, MD, PhD Toxicology Clinic Emergency Hospital “N.I.Pirogov”, Sofia 21 Totleben blvd. 1606 Sofia е-mail: jrsaeva2@yahoo.co.uk | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | The traditional definition of toxicology is "the science of poisons." A more descriptive definition is "the study of the adverse effects of chemicals, biological or physical agents on living organisms". These adverse effects may occur in many forms, ranging from immediate death to subtle changes not realized until months or years later. Knowledge of how toxic agents damage the body has progressed along with medical knowledge. The historical development of toxicology began with early cave dwellers who recognized poisonous plants and animals and used their extracts for hunting or in warfare. By 1500 BC, written recordings indicated that hemlock, opium, arrow poisons, and certain metals were used to poison enemies or for state executions. With time, poisons became widely used. Notable poisoning victims include Socrates, Cleopatra and Claudius. By the time of the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment, certain concepts fundamental to toxicology began to take shape. Noteworthy in this regard were the studies of Paracelsus, a physician from the sixteenth century and one of the early “Fathers of Toxicology”, who is often quoted for his statement: "All substances are poisons; there is none which is not a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison and a remedy." The Chemical (Industrial) Revolution of the mid-19th century released many naturally occurring chemicals into the environment in unprecedented amounts. Also, it produced and released new substances unlike any that had existed in the natural world. With the production and use of these chemicals, and the need to protect hu-mans from the toxic effects of industrial chemicals, toxicology eventually evolved to include its modern day branches: general toxicology, pharmacology, occupational toxicology, clinical toxicology, environmental toxicology. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.citation | Radenkova – Saeva, J. Historical development of toxicology - Acta Medica Bulgarica, 35, 2008, № 1, 47-52. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.issn | 0324-1750 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10861/150 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Централна медицинска библиотека, МУ София / Central Medical Library - MU Sofia | en_US |
| dc.subject | toxicology, poisons, historical development . | en_US |
| dc.title | Historical development of toxicology | en_US |
| dc.type | Article | en_US |