The 20th century saw a series of remarkable discoveries that changed the face of medical practice. Among the most important was the discovery of antimicrobial agents, beginning with the synthesis of arsphenamine by Paul Ehrlich as the century dawned [1]. With this discovery, the dreaded scourge of syphilis was brought under control, although not eradicated.
However, the toxicity of the drug made it less than ideal as an antimicrobial agent.
Shortly thereafter, optochin (ethyl cupreine) was tried for therapy of pneumococcal pneumonia, but it too was toxic and was not effective enough to be successful.
Moreover, pneumococci with resistance to this drug were isolated from patients who failed to respond to treatment— one of the first observations
However, the toxicity of the drug made it less than ideal as an antimicrobial agent.
Shortly thereafter, optochin (ethyl cupreine) was tried for therapy of pneumococcal pneumonia, but it too was toxic and was not effective enough to be successful.
Moreover, pneumococci with resistance to this drug were isolated from patients who failed to respond to treatment— one of the first observations