Question

Arsenic drugs are mainly used in the treatment of (a) cholera (b) syphilis (c) jaundice (d) typhoid

Short answer

Arsenic drugs are mainly used in the treatment of syphilis.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Context

Arsenic drugs have historical significance in medicinal treatments, primarily used before the advent of modern medicine. These drugs were used for specific infectious diseases.

Identify the Disease Categories

Cholera, syphilis, jaundice, and typhoid are the diseases listed. Cholera and typhoid are infectious diseases caused by bacteria, syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria, and jaundice is a condition often resulting from liver issues.

Recognize Historical Treatment Uses

Historically, arsenic compounds like Salvarsan were famously used in the early 20th century for the treatment of syphilis, due to their antibacterial properties effective against the specific bacteria that causes syphilis.

Match Historical Usage to Options

Based on historical medicinal records, arsenic drugs were primarily used in the treatment of syphilis. This aligns with the historical application of arsenic in medical treatment.

Key concepts

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. These diseases can spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another. Common pathways for transmission include physical contact, contaminated food, water, or air, and host vectors like insects.

Diseases like cholera and typhoid share a crucial commonality as they are both caused by bacteria. Cholera, often contracted from contaminated water, leads to severe dehydration caused by diarrhea. Typhoid fever, on the other hand, spreads through contaminated food and water, characterized by prolonged fever and abdominal pain.

Understanding the nature and transmission of infectious diseases is key to controlling outbreaks. The importance of hygiene, sanitation, and effective treatment can’t be overstated. Historically, some infectious diseases posed great public health challenges, necessitating innovative treatments such as the use of arsenic compounds.

Early 20th Century Medicine

Medicine in the early 20th century underwent significant changes with a greater understanding of disease-causing pathogens and the development of new treatments. Before antibiotics, medical practitioners relied on various chemical compounds, including arsenic, to combat bacterial infections.

During this period, Salvarsan was introduced as the first effective drug to treat syphilis, a revolutionary step in medical science. This drug was derived from arsenic, showcasing how medicines of the time combined available chemical knowledge with medical needs. Treatments often focused on managing symptoms and eradicating the causative bacteria.

This era was a bridge between ancient treatment practices and modern pharmacology. It involved trial and error to find substances that could alleviate symptoms or cure diseases. The innovation of the period laid the groundwork for the antibiotics and treatment protocols we utilize today.

Historical Medical Treatments

Historical medical treatments varied widely, ranging from herbal remedies to chemical compounds. In the past, the field of medicine combined knowledge of natural substances with emerging chemical understandings to treat ailments.

Arsenic compounds were among the first chemical drugs used, mainly due to their toxic effects on bacteria. Advances in chemistry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries enabled doctors to isolate compounds that could target specific pathogens effectively, such as the bacterium causing syphilis.

This was a groundbreaking period in medicine, echoing the trial-and-error approach that defined early medical practice. Despite the success in treating syphilis, many treatments of the time could be harsh and had significant side effects. However, the pioneering use of these compounds marked a critical turning point toward more effective and safer medical therapies in the years to come. These practices paved the way for the modern pharmacological industry, illustrating a dynamic progression from historical remedies to today's advanced medicine.