Pat McGrady Sr.'s book "The Persecuted Drug: The Story of DMSO" chronicles the remarkable journey of this useful chemical, from its accidental discovery to its medical promise and the fierce opposition it faced.

The story is one of scientific curiosity, groundbreaking discoveries and a battle between medical innovation and regulatory skepticism. It begins in 1866 in the Russian city of Kazan, where chemist Alexander Zaytsev first synthesized DMSO. He noted its unusual properties: Its ability to warm the skin, dry tissues and dissolve nearly any substance.

Yet, for nearly a century, DMSO remained little more than a laboratory oddity. It wasn't until the mid-20th century that researchers uncovered its extraordinary potential. They discovered that DMSO could penetrate the skin almost instantly, carrying dissolved compounds directly into the bloodstream.

This property made it a promising vehicle for drug delivery. Even more astonishing was its apparent ability to prevent, control, or even cure diseases in humans, animals and plants.

The turning point came in the 1960s when surgeon Dr. Stanley W. Jacob and Robert J. Herschler, a chemist at Crown Zellerbach Corporation, began investigating DMSO's medical applications. Their collaboration was sparked by a simple yet revelatory experiment.

Herschler demonstrated how DMSO could drive ink into a twig, suggesting it could similarly transport antibiotics into the body. Jacob tested this by applying iodine mixed with DMSO to his arm and immediately tasting it – proof that the compound rapidly entered his bloodstream.

Their research revealed DMSO's remarkable therapeutic effects: It reduced pain, inflammation and swelling; accelerated wound healing; and even showed promise in treating conditions like arthritis and nerve damage. However, their findings were met with resistance.

The medical establishment was skeptical, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) soon intervened. In 1965, under Commissioner Dr. James L. Goddard, the FDA launched a campaign against DMSO, citing safety concerns. The regulator claimed that DMSO caused blindness in test animals due to lens changes, though Jacob and others argued these were not true cataracts.

The FDA's crackdown – which involved raids on research facilities and confiscation of records – sparked public outrage. Patients who had experienced relief from DMSO protested, writing to Congress and the media. The controversy became a national debate.

On the one hand, scientists defended DMSO's safety and efficacy. On the other hand, the FDA demanded more rigorous – and often obstructed – studies. Despite international symposia in Berlin, New York and Vienna where researchers presented overwhelming evidence of DMSO's benefits, the FDA maintained its restrictive stance – effectively banning its medical use in the United States.