How does pharmacological and toxicological knowledge evolve? A case study on hydrogen cyanide in German pharmacology and toxicology textbooks from 1878 to 2020.

ABSTRACT: Little is known about how pharmacological and toxicological knowledge evolves. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the presentation of the poison hydrogen cyanide in sixteen German-language pharmacology and toxicology textbooks from 1878 to 2020. The categories of structure, molecular mechanism of action, occurrence, effects, resorption, areas of application, lethal dose, acute symptoms of intoxication, treatment of hydrogen cyanide poisoning, and recommended therapeutic preparations were evaluated. The knowledge on the structure, lethal dosage, and occurrence of hydrogen cyanide has remained constant. In contrast, knowledge on molecular mechanism of action and recommended preparations of the poison has changed dramatically. Until 1944, the binding of hydrogen cyanide t

SUBMITTER: Ludwig L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11522135 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature