VPT 421: Veterinary Toxicology (2+0)

SCIENTISTS ASSOCIATED WITH TOXICOLOGY

	Paracelsus Paracelsus determined that specific chemicals were actually responsible for the toxicity due to a plant or animal poison. He documented that the body’s response to those chemicals was based on the dose received studies. He also revealed that small doses of a substance might be harmless or beneficial whereas larger doses could be toxic, thus explaining the dose-response relationship, a major concept of toxicology. He 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”. His views which hold good even today include experimentation is essential in the examination of responses to chemicals one should make a distinction between the therapeutic and toxic properties of chemicals these properties are sometimes but not always indistinguishable except by dose one can ascertain a degree of specificity of chemicals and their therapeutic or toxic effects. Emil Mark has also stated that "There are no harmless substances. There are only harmless ways of using substances."
	Pedanius Discorides (40-90 AD) Dioscorides a Greek physician made a significant contribution to toxicology by classifying poisons as animal, plant or mineral. He also recognized the value of emetics in the treatment of poisoning.
	M.J.B Orfila M.J.B. Orfila, a Spanish physician, is often referred as founder of modern toxicology. It was Orfila who first prepared a systematic correlation between the chemical and biological properties of poisons of the time. He demonstrated effects of poisons on specific organs by analyzing autopsy materials for poisons and their associated tissue damage and also laid the base for forensic toxicology.
	Francois Megendie Megendie, M.J.B. Orfila and Bernard promoted experimental toxicology. Orfila laid the foundation for forensic toxicology. Megendie discovered the mechanism of action of emetine, strychnine and arrow poisons.
	Claude Bernard Claude Bernard discovered the mechanism of action of curare and carbon monoxide.