-
First possible mention
After visiting Venezuela, Sir Walter Raleigh, in his writings, mentions poison arrows. The poison used was referred to as "ourari". -
Expedition; samples collected
The French Academy of Sciences sponsors an expedition to Ecuador, and samples of curare are brought back to France. -
Waterton's experiment
Charles Waterton demonstrates that the effects of curare are reversible. -
Bernard's experiments published
Claude Bernard publishes his curare experiments on frogs. The results show that curare affects the transmission between motor nerves and muscle fibers. -
Period: to
Use in vivisection
In Great Britain, the toxin was used in experimental animal surgeries (where the animals were conscious). This contributed to the passing of anti-vivisection laws such as the Cruelty to Animals Act. -
Active ingredient identified
Harold King isolates the active part of curare, calling it tubocurarine. -
First use in (human) surgery
Harold Griffith tests the use of curare in surgery as a muscle relaxant. -
Period: to
Artificial curare synthesized
Daniel Bovet creates many artificial varieties of curare, beginning with gallamine. One of them, succinylcholine, is still widely used.