Setting The Records Straight: The Pioneering Work of Gerhard Domagk

Abstract

Heinrich Horlein – who was responsible for the Pharmaceutical Science Laboratories at Bayar, was confident in 1927 that by appointing Gerhard Domagk, he had called upon the right man to the right place and at the right time. He was fascinated by Domagk’s, thesis which was focused at the annihilation of pathogens from the reticulo-endothelium. Horlein engaged and appointed this young lecturer from Munster University as the head of planned institute for experimental pathology and bacteriology. Domagk built on the studies which had already occupied him as an assistant lecturer for many years. He had already concluded that the infection could either be combatted by increasing the host’s immune defenses or by damaging the pathogens, themselves. The studies aimed at the elimination of G+ve coccai started in 1931, and he found some highly effective – a new type of disinfectant, the quaternary ammonium compound or “quits” Zephirol in 1935. This compound was highly effective with good local tolerability to the extent that it could also be used not only as hand disinfectant but also for most medical instruments; it remains the case even today - after more than Fifty years.