How "Flying Death" Has Saved Hundreds of Lives

The video explores the history and development of curare, a poison used by South American tribes, which led to advancements in anesthesia. Initially used in hunting, curare's effects on skeletal muscles were studied through experiments in the 1800s. Despite its potential, curare's medical use was limited due to inconsistent formulations. In the 1930s, British scientists isolated tubocurarine, a key compound in curare, which blocks neuromuscular signals. This discovery paved the way for synthetic drugs like intercostrin, revolutionizing anesthesia by allowing muscle paralysis without excessive inhaled chemicals, making surgeries safer.

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