title: 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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A poison turned to one of the most popular drugs in aesthetic medicine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Depending on the dose, a substance may be poisonous or not.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz, Graz, Austria. daisy.kopera@medunigraz.at
authors.forename: Daisy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kopera
mesh_terms: D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000266:history*; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000266:history*; D005858:Germany; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000266:history*; D011037:Poetry as Topic / Q000266:history*; D011042:Poisons / Q000266:history*
chemical_list: D011042:Poisons; D001905:Botulinum Toxins