RT Book, Section A1 Naguib, Mohamed A1 Aniskevich, Stephen A1 Brull, Sorin J. A2 Johnson, Ken B. SR Print(0) ID 1103963667 T1 Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade T2 Clinical Pharmacology for Anesthesiology YR 2015 FD 2015 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9780071736169 LK accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1103963667 RD 2024/03/29 AB In 1516, Peter Martyr D’Anghera (1457–1526) described in his book, De Orbo Novo (The New World) the effects of poisoned arrows (proven later to contain crude curare) used by South American Indians for hunting and for fighting their enemies.1 His description clearly demonstrates the use of curare. He stated “Despite their nakedness, it must be admitted that in some places, the natives have exterminated entire groups of Spaniards, for they are ferocious and are armed with poisoned arrows.” D’Anghera then goes to give more details such as, “It was discovered that their poisoned arrows contained a kind of liquid which oozed out when the point broke.” Referring to the time course of the effect of curare, he reported, “Hojeda, under the influence of the poison, saw his strength ebbing … away” and stated that, “ .….…. the strength of the poison is such, that the mere odor of it, while compounding almost kills its makers. Whoever is wounded by one of these poisoned arrows dies, but not instantly, and no Spaniard has yet found a remedy for such wounds.”1 In 1596, Sir Walter Raleigh in his book, The Discoverie [sic] of the Large, Rich and Bewtiful Empyre [sic] of Guiana2 reported on this strong native arrow poison and referred to it as “Tupara, curare or ourari.” This poison was later found to be derived from the rubber plant Chondodendron tomentosum. During the 19th century, the paralyzing effect of curare on skeletal muscles3,4 and the antagonistic effects of physostigmine5 were studied in several animal experiments.