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.