title: The odyssey of guaiac.
abstract: The history of guaiac is outlined herein. Guaiac owes its existence as a chemical to a rumor that it had antisyphilitic healing powers in the early 16th century. Guaiac was either the drug of choice or second drug of choice for therapy of syphilis for 200 years. Van Deen discovered its property of detecting occult blood in 1864.
mesh_terms: D005060:Europe; D006138:Guaiac / Q000266:history*; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009656:North America; D013587:Syphilis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000266:history
chemical_list: D006138:Guaiac