Origen e historia de la Toxicología / Origin and history of Toxicology

Se presentan en orden cronológico acontecimientos relacionados con la Toxicología ocurridos a nivel mundial y en Cuba. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica sobre los orígenes e historia de la Toxicología, la cual surgió desde inicios de la humanidad. Se destaca el actuar de reconocidos médicos de la antigüedad, así como acciones realizadas por famosos envenenadores; todo esto recogido en los papiros, la literatura mitológica, religiosa, médica y universal. También se mencionan diversos tóxicos descubiertos o utilizados a lo largo de la historia y su clasificación de acuerdo con su origen animal, vegetal o mineral. Además se evidencia la vinculación que existe entre esta ciencia y la Medicina Legal. La Toxicología quedó constituida como ciencia independiente en la década del cincuenta del pasado siglo.

This paper chronologically described the events in toxicology that took place worldwide and in Cuba. A literature review was made about the origin and history of toxicology, which emerged since the very beginning of mankind. It reflected the actions taken by well known doctors from ancient times, as well as the work of renowned poisoners. Such information was retrieved from papyri and from mythological, religious, medical and universal literature. A number of toxics discovered or used throughout history were mentioned, including their classification according to their origin: animal, vegetable or mineral. Additionally, the linkage between this science and forensic medicine was stressed. Toxicology became an independent science in the 50's of the last century.

Professor José Roberto Giglio and toxinnology in Brazil: 48 years in research: [review]

This work succinctly describes the professional and scientific life of Dr. José R. Giglio, one of the most outstanding Brazilian researchers in the field of Toxinology. During his long and successful career, he has made major contributions, especially in elucidating the function, structure, and mechanisms of action of animal venom proteins (from snakes, scorpions and spiders) as well as the characterization of antibodies and several inhibitors of venoms and toxins. We present here a brief history of Dr. Giglio’s personal and professional life, also reporting some of his numerous published scientific articles on venoms from snakes (Bothrops, Crotalus, and other genera), scorpions (Tityus sp), spiders (Phoneutria sp), their isolated toxins and natural inhibitors. Thus, this work is a tribute to Dr. Giglio in his 73rd birthday, having devoted 48 years of his life studying animal venoms, an effort that has continued even after his formal retirement from university duties.