Drug encyclopedia

The use of narcotics in traditional societies was controlled by strict rules so a real social problem the narcomania became only during an industrial epoch and first of all in cities. Besides an individualization, alienation and other factors, here it is necessary to name and pharmacology development. Inhabitants of civilised countries have gradually got used to that doctors can salvage them from any pain. For example, from the middle of 19 centuries all complex operations made under the general narcosis, and the mors from a pain shock gradually became a rarity in medical institutions of Europe. Doctors perceived that many analgetics are extremely dangerous, but it was difficult to change them.

Heroin has been synthesised for the first time in 1874 Alderom Right, the English chemist, working in medical school at hospital St. Marias (London). Last years a XIX-th century pharmacologists indefatigably worked in search of a replacer for Morphinum. The pioneer in all analyses then was Germany (not without reason there have thought up venenating gases). In 1896 Joseph Fon Mering working with many Aethers of Morphinum, has framed changing for the dangerous cocaine which was then the main antitussive. It has convinced the main sire of alkaloids, firm “Grew dim”, to throw out in 1898 on the market the drug made in commercial quantities, Morphinum derivant, received in a trading network the name “Dioninum”. It began apply widely at once instead of codeine and other opiates. Also as a medical product from tussis, “heroin” (It is considered that the name “heroin” descends from a word “heroic”) has been let out by German pharmaceutical company Bayer AG in 1898 under the trade mark.

Fon Meringa achievements stimulated scientific thought of other most outstanding pharmacologist, the director of exploratory programs of pharmaceutical firm “Bayer and the company” Henry Drezera. In 1898 he has framed a drug which killed a pain better Morphinum and was thus more safe than it. After the first experiences it seemed that it invokes where smaller habituation, than any other derivatives of Morphinum.

Has passed four years before it was found out that the new medicine which was widely on sale worldwide and working wonders anaesthetization, leads patients of an unprecedented drug dependence – it came not at once, but surpassed everything that was known hitherto. Since 1902 many countries began to apply the laws forbidding import of heroin. Breedings have been made of this history much later. We will tell, in the USA only since 1929 working out of analgetics, on invoking habituations has begun.

Henry Drezer was the fair scientist, aspiring to facilitate human sufferings. But from its light arm firm “Bayer and the company” has appropriated to a drug the bright, easily remembered name – heroin.