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noun
Medicine[mass noun] A synthetic organic arsenic compound formerly used to treat syphilis and other diseases.
See also Ehrlich, Paul- ‘In 1910, with his Japanese colleague Sahachiro Hata, he developed arsphenamine, a synthetic preparation containing arsenic, which sold under the name of Salvarsan.’
- ‘He also discovered a treatment for syphilis using arsphenamine in 1910.’
- ‘So powerful is arsphenamine that doctors can give it only in single doses extending over a period of 18 months.’
- ‘More recently silver arsphenamine has been used in topical astringent preparations.’
- ‘Two month courses of intravenous arsphenamine would then be alternated with intramuscular Bismuth.’
Origin
Early 20th century: blend of arsenic, phenyl, and amine.
Pronunciation:
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