Dyes, antipsychotic drugs, and antimicrobial activity. Fragments of a development, with special reference to the influence of Paul Ehrlich.

The history of phenothiazines, from methylene blue via chlorpromazine to recently synthesized isomeric derivatives of various neuroleptics, is reviewed in the light of their antimicrobial activity and Paul Ehrlich's receptor concept. The latter is clearly in line with most modern theories concerning drug action of stereo-isomeric compounds.