As I have already highlighted, from the mid-19th century onwards, scientific discoveries took place which, in parallel with socioeconomic development, explained the extraordinary increase in average longevity. Life expectancy at birth has increased by more than 50 years since then and to this day.
I revisit the great milestones of Medicine.
In Public Health, the turn to the 20th century is marked by the introduction of water disinfection using sodium hypochlorite (bleach) in public systems intended for human consumption. In 1905, continuous water chlorination was proposed by the British doctor Alexander Houston (1865-1933) in the city of Lincoln (England), with the aim of controlling the typhoid fever epidemic that occurred there. The work carried out by Sir Alexander demonstrated the effectiveness of chlorine in ensuring the potability of water distributed to populations.
The measure was quickly adopted globally. A success. Epidemiology experts are unanimous in considering that the method of introducing chlorine into water was the discovery that contributed most to the promotion of health throughout the world (along with vaccination). It has saved many millions of people by preventing waterborne infectious diseases. Infant mortality has decreased.
In 1910, French scientist Charles Nicolle (1866-1936) discovered that typhus is transmitted by the bite of lice, which is why he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine.
In 1921, the isolation and purification of insulin by University of Toronto scientists Frederick Banting (1891-1941) and Charles Best (1899-1978) marked the beginning of a new life for diabetic people. They added a future to patients. An admirable achievement.
Interestingly, two years later, Banting would receive the Nobel Prize, but, strangely, his collaborator, still a student, Charles Best would be excluded, despite having been one of the researchers (he was only 22 years old). Only many years later (1972) would the Nobel Foundation recognize that Best’s omission had been a mistake!
Also in the same year (1921), the French Albert Calmette (1863-1933) and Camille Guérin (1872-1961) started the vaccine against tuberculosis which became known as Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). A universal achievement in tuberculosis prevention.
In 1928, British doctor Alexander Fleming (1881-1955) discovered penicillin, ushering in the era of antibiotics for treating bacterial infections. Soon after, the initial molecule was modified to broaden its spectrum of action and facilitate oral administration.
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franciscogeorge@icloud.com
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