What was Ehrlich's contribution to medicine in 1909?

In 1909, Paul Ehrlich made a significant breakthrough in medicine by developing the first 'magic bullet' cure for syphilis, which was known as Salvarsan (or compound 606). This innovation was groundbreaking because it represented a new approach to treating infectious diseases through targeted therapy. Unlike previous treatments that were often toxic and harmful, Salvarsan specifically targeted the syphilis-causing bacteria, Treponema pallidum, while minimizing damage to the patient's body. This was a pivotal moment in the history of medicine as it laid the foundation for antibiotic treatment and showcased the potential of chemotherapeutic agents.

Ehrlich's work was influential in changing how scientists and physicians approached infectious diseases, moving towards a more scientific and experimental basis for treatment. His concept of the 'magic bullet' was that a drug could selectively target disease-causing organisms without harming the host, which inspired future generations of research and development in pharmaceuticals.