The gold rush 1925-35

Area of Science:

• Medical History
• Pharmacology
• Tuberculosis Research

Background:

• Pulmonary tuberculosis treatment historically involved experimental approaches.
• Gold preparations were explored for tuberculosis management since Koch's era.
• Sanocrysin, a gold-sodium thiosulphate, emerged as a key therapeutic agent in 1925.

Observation:

• Sanocrysin's introduction in 1925 followed extensive animal experimentation.
• Early clinical reports from Denmark and Britain showed encouraging results despite significant toxicity.
• Physicians modified dosages to mitigate severe adverse reactions.

Findings:

• A comprehensive US clinical trial in 1934-35 yielded entirely adverse results.
• Despite initial enthusiasm, gold therapy demonstrated a high failure rate and persistent toxicity.
• The US trial effectively ended the use of gold therapy in America.

Implications:

• Gold therapy, once promising for tuberculosis, was largely abandoned by the late 1930s.
• The cessation of gold therapy occurred despite the lack of superior alternatives at the time.
• This historical episode highlights the challenges in developing effective and safe tuberculosis treatments.