Antibiotic

 

Antibiotic

 

·      In 1895, Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen experimented with cathode rays when he noticed that a nearby fluorescent screen started to glow even though it was not in the path of the rays. He realized that he had found a new type of radiation, which he called X-rays. X because they were unknown.

 

·      In the early 1920s, Frederick Banting and Charles Best conducted research on pancreases and diabetes in dogs. During their experiments, they accidentally discovered how  they could induce diabetes, and by injecting an extract from pancreatic islets and reducing blood sugars. This led to the discovery of insulin.

 

·      Pfizer originally developed the drug Sildenafil to treat hypertension and angina. It didn’t work but men who were subjected to treatment during clinical trials found it helped them with another “problem.”  It’s marketed under the name Viagra.

 

These are but three examples of medical advancements that were discovered accidentally. Here is one more that affected the entire world.

 

Alexander Fleming was born in Lochfield, Scotland and  joined the Royal Army Medical Corps at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. He was stationed in various field hospitals in France, where he worked under harsh and challenging conditions, treating wounded soldiers. Many died despite his efforts because of the lack of effective antiseptics. He noticed that these antiseptics were not very effective inside the body because they couldn't reach deep-seated bacteria. Instead, the body's natural defenses were more effective in combating infections if the initial bacterial load was reduced. But how?

 

After the war, he returned to St. Mary's Hospital as a research scientist and focused on bacteriology where he worked diligently and kept long hours. One day, he decided he needed a break and took time off. Should he go back home to Lochfield and visit with the folks? No, he decided on the Scottish Highlands were a better option. (Scientists often take breaks to recharge and gain fresh perspectives.) The Highlands, with their scenic and peaceful environment, offered Fleming a chance to really relax and return to his work with renewed energy and clarity. Besides, it gave him a chance to see if “Nessie” was still around. (Loch Ness is in the Highlands.)

Refreshed Flemming returned to work on a September morning and on his first day back at St. Mary's  he noticed the mold contamination on one of his Petri dishes and realized its potential.  Fleming observed that the bacteria surrounding the mold were being destroyed, while those further away were unharmed. He identified the mold as Penicillium notatum and named the antibacterial substance it produced "penicillin." Its impact on medicine and public health was profound, making it the cornerstone of modern antibacterial therapy. However, this was 1928. It took another twelve years before  Howard Florey, Ernst Boris Chain, and Norman Heatley found ways to mass produce the life-savings drug. In 1943, the drug was still in the early stages of development and production and considered experimental and Lord Moran had a serious decision to make. Should he take a chance?

 

It was December and during a visit to North Africa, Winston Churchill fell seriously ill with pneumonia. At the time,  a life-threatening condition, especially for someone of Churchill's age. He was 69  and his health was already compromised due to the immense stress and workload of leading the country during the war. His condition was so severe doctors  thought Churchill was nearing death and his condition was kept secret from the public. Churchill’s chief physician, Lord Moran, considered his options, penicillin?

But Lord Moran was worried. Penicillin could cause allergic reactions or other adverse effects in some patients. Given Churchill's high-profile status and the critical nature of his role during the war, any negative reaction to the drug could have had serious consequences. Additionally, medical knowledge and protocols were still evolving, and there was a degree of uncertainty about how to use penicillin safely and effectively in every patient.

On December 15, Lord Moran wrote this in his diary:

“What will they say if Winston slips through my hands before his job is finished?

“Well, if I am going to be shot at if things go wrong, I am going to use my own judgment  to prevent them from going wrong.”  He did just that,

 

Lord Moran decided to treat Churchill with the newly available antibiotic and his condition improved rapidly after receiving the injections. He made a full recovery highlighting  how effective penicillin could be in treating bacterial infections and highlighting its potential to save lives. Overall, while it's difficult to predict exact outcomes,  but if Churchill's had died in 1943, it certainly would have had a profound and lasting impact on the course of the war and the world we live in today.

 

 

Meme:

Penicillium notatum (Latin) roughly translates to "the marked or noted little brush," referring to the mold's brush-like appearance Fleming noticed in the Petri dish. (But you knew that, right?)