How Do You Spell SALVARSAN?

Pronunciation: [sˈalvɑːsən] (IPA)

Salvarsan is a drug used to treat syphilis, discovered by Paul Ehrlich in 1909. The complexity of the word's spelling arises from its German origin, where the letter "v" is pronounced as an "f" sound when it is between two vowels. Therefore, the correct pronunciation of Salvarsan in German is "zal-far-san." The IPA phonetic transcription for Salvarsan would read as /sælˈvɑːrsæn/ for English speakers. Despite its difficult spelling, Salvarsan played a critical role in the treatment of syphilis, becoming the first highly effective and specific treatment for the disease.

SALVARSAN Meaning and Definition

1. Salvarsan, also known by its chemical name arsphenamine, is a synthetic drug that was one of the first effective treatments for syphilis. Developed in the early 20th century by German chemist Paul Ehrlich, salvarsan is an arsenic-based compound that acts as an antimicrobial agent against the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum, which causes syphilis.

   The drug’s name, “salvarsan,” is derived from the Latin words “salvare,” meaning to save, and “arsenicum,” which refers to the arsenic component of the compound. Salvarsan was a breakthrough in medicine, as it offered a cure for a previously incurable and highly debilitating disease.

   Salvarsan was administered via injection and had to be carefully monitored due to its toxic potential. It exhibited potent bactericidal properties, killing the syphilis bacteria by interfering with their metabolic processes. By destroying the bacterium, salvarsan halted the progression of syphilis and alleviated its symptoms.

   Although salvarsan was considered a revolutionary treatment, it had drawbacks, such as its toxicity and side effects, which included allergic reactions and damage to internal organs. As a result, subsequent generations of drugs, such as penicillin, replaced salvarsan as the primary treatment for syphilis. Nonetheless, salvarsan paved the way for the development of other chemotherapeutic agents and remains a significant milestone in the history of medicine.

2. Trade name of dioxydiamimoarsenobenzol, No. 606, useful in the treatment of syphilis, yaws, and possibly other diseases of protozoan origin; it is a yellow powder, administered intravenously after admixture with a dilute solution of caustic soda. The name under which salvarsan is licensed to be made and sold in the United States is arsphenamine; in Great Britain it is sold as kharsivan; other names are arsenobenzol, arsenobillon, diarsenol.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for SALVARSAN

• salversan
• Salvarson
• Salverzan
• salvashan
• Valkaryan

Etymology of SALVARSAN

The word "salvarsan" originates from the combination of two elements: "salv-" and "-arsan".

The first part, "salv-", is derived from the German word "salvär", which means salvation or cure. This element emphasizes the purpose and effect of the drug.

The second part, "-arsan", is derived from the chemical element "arsenic". Salvarsan is an organic arsenic compound that was developed as the first effective treatment for syphilis.

Therefore, the term "salvarsan" indicates a compound that is intended to provide salvation or cure through the use of arsenic-based properties.