Fowler's solution

The Fowler's solution ( Liquor Kalii arsenicosi ; English Fowler's solution ) is an inorganic arsenic compound and was until the mid-20th century, known from the 18th century medicine that has long been considered a medical miracle, and as a fever reducer, healing water and even as an aphrodisiac and a remedy found application in leukemia and lymphoblastoma.

The main component of Fowler's solution was the highly toxic arsenic compound potassium arsenite , which was mixed with lavender water to improve the taste .

The drug was named after the British doctor and pharmacist Thomas Fowler (1736–1801), who - as a fan of iatrochemistry  - recommended the smallest amounts of arsenic in an alkaline solution as a fever drug and for headaches.

In Germany, the agent (Fowler's drops or Fowler's solution) was used to treat psoriasis until the 1960s.

literature

• Doris Schwarzmann-Schafhauser: Fowler's drops. In: Werner E. Gerabek , Bernhard D. Haage, Gundolf Keil , Wolfgang Wegner (eds.): Enzyklopädie Medizingeschichte. De Gruyter, Berlin / New York 2005, ISBN 3-11-015714-4 , p. 418.

Web links

• Fowler's solution. In: Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica

Individual evidence

1. ^ Doris Schwarzmann-Schafhauser: Fowler, Thomas. In: Werner E. Gerabek u. a. (Ed.): Encyclopedia of medical history. 2005, p. 417.
2. ↑ Thomas Fowler: Medical report on the effects of arsenic in the cure of agues, remittent fevers, and periodic headache. London 1786.

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