Botulinum toxin historical aspects: from food poisoning to pharmaceutical

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In the history of medicine, unexpected coincidences indicated the development of new treatment options. OBJECTIVE: One of the most peculiar ones concerns the finding of botulinum toxin, and this should be familiar to physicians using the drug. METHODS: A survey through the history of the "fat-poison" has been performed. RESULT: A poison turned to one of the most popular drugs in aesthetic medicine. CONCLUSION: Depending on the dose, a substance may be poisonous or not.