Atabrine

/ˈætəbriːn/ noun

Definition

A yellow antimalarial drug developed during World War II as a substitute for quinine when quinine supplies were cut off.

Etymology

Brand name created as a chemical compound, likely combining elements suggesting its purpose. Developed and used extensively by the United States military during WWII in the Pacific Theater.

Kelly Says

Soldiers in WWII called this drug 'yellow peril' because it turned their skin yellow—but it literally saved thousands of lives when the Japanese blockade cut off natural quinine from Indonesia!

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