This deep dive covers Development of Sulphonamides (1930s) within Magic Bullets for GCSE History. Revise Magic Bullets in Medicine Through Time for GCSE History with 8 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 3 of 13 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
🧠 Development of Sulphonamides (1930s)
1932: Gerhard Domagk (German) tested Prontosil — a red dye that killed streptococcal bacteria.
How: The active ingredient was sulphonamide (a synthetic chemical compound that inhibits bacterial growth). Scientists developed many "sulpha drugs" from this.
Impact: First drugs effective against blood poisoning, pneumonia, scarlet fever. Saved many lives in WW2.
Limitation: Only worked on some bacteria. Didn't kill all infections. Side effects common.
Practice questions for Magic Bullets
What was the name of the drug Paul Ehrlich developed in 1909 to treat syphilis?
In which year did Gerhard Domagk discover that Prontosil could kill streptococcal bacteria?
Quick recall flashcards
What was Salvarsan?
Compound 606 — Ehrlich's 1909 cure for syphilis, the first magic bullet
What was a "magic bullet"?
A chemical that kills specific bacteria without harming healthy cells