History of Toxicology

Much later, Paracelsus, the father of modem toxicology (1493-1541), pronounced a dictum of his own Sola dosis facit veneum, meaning only the dose makes the poison. There is a glorified commonness to these ancient thinkers, neither knowing the other and from different periods of time. 

In fact, all substances are poisonous, and there are none that are safe. The right dose alone differentiates a substance as a remedy or as a poison. In other words, no substance is absolutely safe. Important reference could be made to valuable contributions of Theophra Stus (370-286 B.C.), Hippocrates (400 B.C.), and Ebers Papyrus (1500 B.C.). In fact, the use of hemlock by the Greeks to execute the great philosopher Socrates (470-399 B.C.) is an instance of its own. Recently, Ramazzini (1700) documented preventive measures to control industrial hazards among occupational workers (Fig. 2-1). 

Toxicity is the ability of a substance/chemical to induce harmful/adverse effects on the organism. Adverse effects range from mild symptoms, such as headaches, to severe symptoms, like coma, convulsions, or death. Toxic chemicals trigger alterations of normal body functions, eventually leading to death of the organism. However, based on timely intervention and conditions of body 

AYURVEDA [Ashtanga Hrudaya of Vagbhata, Charaka, Sushruta (ca. 2500 BC)] 

Indus Valley civilization dates back to more than 3000 bc. The most well planned cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro exemplify not only the rich cultural heritage of India, but also its advanced systems of hygiene and human health careV  

In the Western world the ancient Greeks were probably the first to dissociate medicine from magic and religion. Important and valuable contributions of several thinkers improved the quality of human health and our understanding in toxicology. Some of the important ones include  

Shen Nung, 2696 bc the father of Chinese medicine, noted for tasting 365 herbs. He wrote the treatise On Herbal Medical Experiment Poisons and died of a toxic dose. 

Ebers Papyrus, 1500 bc the oldest well preserved medical document from ancient Egyptian records dated from approximately 1500 bc contains 110 papyrus pages on anatomy and physiology, toxicology, spells, and treatment. Homer, 850 bc wrote of the use of arrows poisoned with venom in the epic tales of The Odyssey and The Iliad. The Greek word toxikon is arrow poison. 

Hippocrates, 460 bc a Greek physician born on the island of Cos, Greece. He became known as the founder or father of modern medicine and was regarded as the greatest physician of his time. A person of many talents, he named cancer using the Greek word karkinos (crab) because of the creeping. 

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Dietrich Milks, History of Toxicology, Chapter 1 in Toxicology, 11-23. 

Milles, Dietrich. History of Toxicology. Chapter 1 in Toxicology, edited by Hans Marquardt, Siegfried G. Schafer, Roger O. McClellan, and Frank Welsch. San Diego, CA Academic Press, 1999. 

Lane RW, Borzelleca JF. Principles of toxicology. Harming and helping through time the history of toxicology. In Hayes AW, ed. Principles and Methods of Toxicology. 5th ed. Florida CRC Press, 2007. 

Much of the early history of toxicology has been lost and in much that has survived toxicology is of almost incidental importance in manuscripts dealing primarily with medicine. Some, however, deal more specifically with toxic action or with the use of poisons for judicial execution, suicide or political assassination. Regardless of the paucity of the early record, and given the need for people to avoid toxic animals and plants, toxicology must rank as one of the oldest practical sciences. 

BORZELLECA, J.F. (1994) History of toxicology. In Principles and Methods of Toxicology, edited by A.W.Hayes, 3rd edition (New York Raven Press). 

Hayes, A. Wallace. Principles and Methods of Toxicology. 5th ed. Boca Raton, Fla. CRG Press, 2008. Includes history of toxicology and discusses interpretation of data and problems that may arise. Comprehensive glossary. 

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