Final answer:
Salvarsan, a compound containing arsenic and phenol, was the salvation from syphilis discovered by Paul Ehrlich. It successfully cured the disease in humans by targeting the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
Step-by-step explanation:
Paul Ehrlich finally came up with Salvarsan (salvation from syphilis); this compound contained arsenic and phenol. Salvarsan targeted the bacterium Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, and was found to successfully cure the disease in humans. Ehrlich's innovative approach of systematically screening a wide variety of compounds remains a common strategy for the discovery of new antimicrobial agents even today.