Bismuth syphilis

Bismuth compounds were once employed for the treatment of amoebic dysentery, certain skin diseases, and several spirochetal diseases besides syphilis, but these substances are now seldom considered the dmgs of choice. Various insoluble preparations of bismuth, especially the subcarbonate, subnitrate, subgaHate, subcitrate, and subsahcylate, are stiU employed for the treatment of ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders, even though use for these purposes is often supported largely by tradition. With a few possible exceptions, it is now difficult to justify the presence of bismuth compounds in a modem therapeutic armamentarium. A review of the biological activity of organobismuth compounds has been pubHshed (179). 

Bismuth, discovered in 1753, has a long history of medical uses ranging from treatment of syphilis and malaria to diarrhea. More recently, antibacterial properties of bismuth-containing antacids have been used to treat peptic ulcers. In general the medical use of bismuth has declined with the advent of new drug therapies. 

Some of tlie salts of bismuth are used in medicines for the relief of digestive disorders because of the smooth, protective coating the compounds impart to imtated mucous membranes. Like barium, bismuth also is used as an aid in x-ray diagnostic procedures because of its opacity to x-rays. At one time, certain bismuth compounds were used in the treatment of syphilis. Bismuth oxychloride, which is pcarlcsccnt, has found use in cosmetics, imparting a frosty appearance to nail polish, eye shadow, and lipstick, but may be subject to increasing controls. Bismuth phosphomolybdate has been used as a catalyst in the production of acrylonitrile for use in synthetic fibers and paints. Bismuth oxide and subcarbonate are used as fire retardants for plastics. 

In the 1930s and 1940s, bismuth formulations were used extensively to treat syphilis, but they have since been supplanted by more effective antibiotics. More recently, bismuth complexes have been examined for antitumor activity, 64 Tiekink compared the literature results for antimony(III), anti-mony(V), and bismuth(III) with the conclusion that Bi(III) was most promising among these possibilities. ... 

Rossberg J. Katamnestische Untersuchungen an Arsenobenzol-Penizillin-Wismut behandelten Syphilitikern. [Catamnestic studies of syphilis patients treated with arsenobenzene-penicillin-bismuth.] Dermatol Wochenschr 1967 153(7) 161. ... 

The fact that much bismuth is ordinarily stored in the skeleton may be relevant in the etiology of bismuth osteoarthropathy. In two reported cases a differing type of osteopathy occurred, associated with different localization of the pathological lesions and with unusually high bismuth concentrations in the bone both patients had received bismuth injections for syphilis many months or even years before (SEDA-4,169). 

Several bismuth compounds have been used medicinally. Some are used for gastrointestinal distress (pepto-bismol contains bismuth subsalicylate), others are used as salves and, in rare cases, for treatment of parasites. In the past, bismuth has also been used to treat syphilis and malaria. 

The test identifies the substance to be examined as a salt of bismuth, Several insoluble bismutii salts have foxmd use orally as antacids and topically in the treatment of skin disorders. Others have been used in the treatment of syphilis and as an amoebicide. Most of these therapeutic substances have been replaced by more modem alternatives, and reference to bismuth is currently made in only four monographs, and just one dictate method (a). Bismuth forms trivalent and pentavalent ions, but the trivalent is by far the most conunon. Most bismutii(III) and bismuth(V) forms insoluble salts, especially xmder alkaline conditions. This behavior and the insolubility of bismuth sulphide form the basis of test (a). In test (b) a colored complex between bismuth and thiourea is formed. 

Bismuth Gastrointestinal disorders, syphilis, angina, adenotonsiUectomy [23-26]... 

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