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. With time, poisons became widely used—and with great
sophistication. Notable poisoning victims include Socrates, Cleopatra, and
Claudius. Noteworthy in this regard were the studies of Paracelsus (~1500AD)
and Orfila (~1800 AD).
historical development of toxicology began with early cave dwellers who
recognized poisonous plants and animals and used their extracts for hunting or
in warfare. With time, poisons became widely used—and with great
sophistication. Notable poisoning victims include Socrates, Cleopatra, and
Claudius. Noteworthy in this regard were the studies of Paracelsus (~1500AD)
and Orfila (~1800 AD).
Paracelsus (1493-1541) determined that specific chemicals were actually responsible for the
toxicity of a plant or animal poison. He also documented that the body’s
response to those chemicals depended on the dose received.
toxicity of a plant or animal poison. He also documented that the body’s
response to those chemicals depended on the dose received.
Mathieu Orfila (1787 – 1853)
Spanish physician is often referred to as the
father of toxicology. who first established a systematic correlation between
the chemical and biological properties of poisons. Having given the subject its
first formal treatment in 1813 in his Traité
des poisons, also called Toxicologie
générale .He demonstrated effects of poisons on specific organs by
analyzing autopsy materials for poisons and their associated tissue damage.
Spanish physician is often referred to as the
father of toxicology. who first established a systematic correlation between
the chemical and biological properties of poisons. Having given the subject its
first formal treatment in 1813 in his Traité
des poisons, also called Toxicologie
générale .He demonstrated effects of poisons on specific organs by
analyzing autopsy materials for poisons and their associated tissue damage.
Magendie
(1783-1885) detailed the absorption
and distribution of various compounds in the body. With
the publication of her controversial book, The Silent Spring, in 1962, Rachel Carson became an important influence in initiating the
modern era of environmental toxicology. Her book emphasized stopping the
widespread, indiscriminate use of pesticides and other chemicals and advocated
use patterns based on sound ecology.
(1783-1885) detailed the absorption
and distribution of various compounds in the body. With
the publication of her controversial book, The Silent Spring, in 1962, Rachel Carson became an important influence in initiating the
modern era of environmental toxicology. Her book emphasized stopping the
widespread, indiscriminate use of pesticides and other chemicals and advocated
use patterns based on sound ecology.
It is clear, however, that since the 1960s
toxicology has entered a phase of rapid development and has changed from a
science that was largely descriptive to one in which the importance of
mechanisms of toxic action is generally recognized. Since the 1970s, with
increased emphasis on the use of the techniques of molecular biology, the pace
of change has increased even further, and significant advances have been made
in many areas, including chemical carcinogenesis and xenobiotic metabolism,
among many others.
toxicology has entered a phase of rapid development and has changed from a
science that was largely descriptive to one in which the importance of
mechanisms of toxic action is generally recognized. Since the 1970s, with
increased emphasis on the use of the techniques of molecular biology, the pace
of change has increased even further, and significant advances have been made
in many areas, including chemical carcinogenesis and xenobiotic metabolism,
among many others.
The
history of Toxicology dates back to the early
humans who used animal and plant poisons for hunting and warfare.
The use of poisonings was also an important part of life during the
middle ages. During this
period, the use of poisons was a common way of eliminating political
contenders, spouses and competition.
history of Toxicology dates back to the early
humans who used animal and plant poisons for hunting and warfare.
The use of poisonings was also an important part of life during the
middle ages. During this
period, the use of poisons was a common way of eliminating political
contenders, spouses and competition.
Finally,
it was during the 20th century
that toxicology quickly developed into the multidisciplinary field it is now.
An event that impacted the discipline very deeply was the advent of World War
II due to the significant development of chemicals used for warfare like
pesticides, ammunitions and drugs. It is especially during the second
half of the century that science develops very quickly affecting and reshaping
many disciplines and toxicology was not the exception. Two very important
events in the late 50s were the development of a research program to evaluate
the safety to humans of foods, drugs and cosmetics together with the
establishment of a conference on toxicology. Another important event was
the approval of the additives amendments to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
which included the Delaney Clause.
it was during the 20th century
that toxicology quickly developed into the multidisciplinary field it is now.
An event that impacted the discipline very deeply was the advent of World War
II due to the significant development of chemicals used for warfare like
pesticides, ammunitions and drugs. It is especially during the second
half of the century that science develops very quickly affecting and reshaping
many disciplines and toxicology was not the exception. Two very important
events in the late 50s were the development of a research program to evaluate
the safety to humans of foods, drugs and cosmetics together with the
establishment of a conference on toxicology. Another important event was
the approval of the additives amendments to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
which included the Delaney Clause.
Today
there are many governmental, scientific, professional and industrial
organizations that deal with toxicological issues as well as hundreds of
journals that publish the result of actual toxicology research.
there are many governmental, scientific, professional and industrial
organizations that deal with toxicological issues as well as hundreds of
journals that publish the result of actual toxicology research.
