But some scientists believe that the drug may eventually serve another, far less controversial, purpose: treating a particularly fierce and intractable form of depression.
They point out that mercury was sometimes used for another purpose: treating persons who ailed from a particular sexually transmitted disease.
But skeptics say it's not clear whether the technique can be used for its intended purpose, treating sepsis.
Like the men arrested in Johannesberg, many of those in the trade come from Asia, particularly Vietnam, where it is believed that the horns can be used for medicinal purposes - treating diseases such as cancer.
Prior to the release of those findings, about 30% of postmenopausal American women had been on HRT for such purposes as treating menopausal symptoms and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
The drug tested is an old chemical that previously has been used for a variety of purposes, including treating urinary tract infections.
"Any manufacture, supply or sale of this product for the purposes of treating a medical condition is thereby illegal".
The "treasure of drugs," as the Arabs called it, was used for a variety of purposes, including treating apoplexy, venereal disease, high blood pressure, vomiting, irregular menstrual periods and as a contraceptive and toothpaste.
Patients with very severe HbE/β-thalassemia may require regular blood transfusions 7, but these and other patients requiring regular transfusions would not be considered NTDT patients for the purposes of treating iron overload.
In animal agriculture, antibiotics are administered for therapeutic purposes to treat infections, prophylactic purposes in advance of observed symptoms, and nontherapeutic purposes to promote growth and improve feed efficiency (Wegener 2003).
