Important French Names in Modern Medicine
Louis XVÂ News
22 April 1745
Charles de La Condamine Returns to Paris!
After a long trip to South America, Charles Marie de La Condamine has finally returned to Paris with some interesting discoveries. Cinchona bark, which our explorer has brought back to us, might actually treat Malaria. Apparently while Charles was in South America he discovered that the Natives used Cinchona bark to treat fevers and the feared Malaria disease. In addition, other European countries have been using this remedy since Jesuits discovered it in the 1500s... why didnât they tell us about it? Weâre already suffering because of the monarchyâs bad spending habits I mean come on! Somebody should start a revolution or something I mean really, this is ridiculous. Anyway, now those of you who live near undrained swamps and still ponds can finally live without being afraid of the terrible fever and looming death that Malaria brings.
Napoleon TimesÂ
13 August 1816
RenĂ© LaĂ«nnecâs Invention Takes Europe by Storm!
Renowned physician RenĂ© LaĂ«nnecâs invention, called a stethoscope, is becoming so popular that every doctor and medical student in Europe wants to come to France to see how it works. Dr. LaĂ«nnec has identified, named, and described multiple respiratory disorders that used to be unknown ailments, but thanks to LaĂ«nnec we now know what they are and how to treat them. His newly invented stethoscope has broadened our understanding of both the heart and the respiratory and pulmonary systems, which has physicians nearly jumping out of their knickers with curiosity. The embarrassing truth that inspired LaĂ«nnec to create this invention is that he didnât want to have any more awkward moments with his patients when he put his ear to their chests... especially fully busted patients....
Napoleon TimesÂ
1 October 1820
Pelletier and Caventouâs Major Accomplishment in Malarial Treatment!
The dynamic duo, the chemist and the pharmacist, Mr. Pierre Joseph Pelletier and Joseph Caventou, have at last found a way to use Cinchona bark without having to consume the entire piece as a powder or otherwise. Pelletier and Caventou have discovered that quinine is actually the part of the Cinchona tree that relieves fevers and other symptoms if Malaria. Not only have they made this duscovery but theyâve actually managed to separate quinine from the bark! It can now be consumed in your favorite drink, though it does have a bitter taste so it is suggested to add it to an alcoholic drink to cover up the bitterness.
L'Univers
22 May 1853
Charles Gerhardt Synthesizes Pain Relieving Drug!
If youâre sick of chewing on Aspen bark when you have a headache, then youâll be glad to know that Gerhardt has successfully reproduced the substance in the bark that relieves pain. Charles Gerhardt, a genius and French chemist, studied the chemical structure of this pain relieving plant until he finally realized how to recreate it synthetically, to be bought from your local apothecary. Not only has Gerhardt done this, but heâs made some real progress in the world of chemistry; heâs classified organic compounds, he is actually the first person to use chemical equations consistently, so much in fact that heâs even come up with his own theories on chemical equations. Some would call him a total nerd, but others call him a genius.
L'Univers
13 September 1864
Louis Pasteur Creates Pasteurization!
Louis Pasteur, the man who saved the alcohol industry with his discoveries on the process of fermentation, has created a process appropriately called Pasteurization. This process uses heat to exterminate pathogens from milk before it goes into your cereal; no more Scarlet Fever for breakfast! Before becoming a hero to both the alcoholics and milk-drinkers of France, Louis Pasteur was a chemistry professor in his early days, who then became a physics professor. This was all before his interest in microbiology peaked and he became involved in the development of vaccines and created vaccines for Rabies and Anthrax. If you know the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration, thatâs thanks to Pasteur! This legendary dude has even discovered how the process of putrefaction occurs... this may blow your mind France so hold onto your trousers... it is caused by these microorganisms called germs... amazing, right?
Le Figaro
13 December 1864
Alphonse Laveran discovers Malarial Parasites!
While caring for a soldier who was sick with Malaria, Dr. Alphonse Laveran saw something unusual in the patientâs blood... parasites. Nobody wants to know that they have tiny unwanted organisms swimming around inside of them, but this discovery just couldnât be kept a secret. Alphonse Laveran is an army surgeon, and last month he was in Constantine, Algeria when he finally made this discovery. Since malaria has been such a huge problem for our army, Laveran worked tirelessly studied the clinical, anatomic, and pathological parts of this disease all in order to discover what causes it. He even went so far as to dissect the bodies of deceased Malaria victims to see how the disease affected the inside of a human body. Louis Pasteurâs theory that germs cause infectious diseases inspired Laveran to think microscopically, and voila! Malaria is now known to be caused by small protozoan parasites.
Le Petit Journal
30 July 1921
Albert Calmette and Camille Guerin Create Tuberculosis Vaccine!
After thirteen long years this team has finally done it; Albert Calmette and Camille Guerin have formulated a vaccine called BCG (the âBacille Calmette Guerinâ vaccine) that is really going to help people fight against Tuberculosis and slow down the spread of this disease. Calmette, a student of Louis Pasteur himself, made the discovery that a deadly form of bovine tuberculosis bacteria becomes less fatal when it was added to a medium that contains bile and still makes people partially immune to both bovine and human Tuberculosis. He also made a test that was used to diagnose tuberculosis which was called Calmetteâs Reaction. Before any of this, in 1891 Calmette came upon an immunotoxin in Saigon, Indochina that can defend a person against snake venom! Immunizations seem to be Albert Calmetteâs favorite study in the field of medicine.
And itâs a good thing that Camille Guerin was swayed from veterinary medicine and joined Albert Calmette in 1897 in creating the revolutionary BCG vaccine, because otherwise we would still be losing lives to this terrible illness. In 1906 Guerin began to discover that Tuberculosis resistance is caused by Tuberculosis bacilli that are still alive within the hostâs body. What an incredible thought!Â
This vaccine will be given to newborn infants, who are more likely to contract TB due to their underdeveloped immune systems. However, there is potential for infection and the contraction of various strains of TB that this vaccine cannot protect the patient from, unfortunately. Vaccine research is really helping out Parisians, especially BCG which, if it proves successful, will spread to many cities around the world.Â
Liberation
 2 February 1983
Montaigner and Barré-Sinoussi Find Cause of AIDS!
Luc Montaigner and Françoise BarrĂ©-Sinoussi found a member of the retrovirus strain known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (named by Montaigner and BarrĂ©-Sinoussi) within multiple AIDS patientsâ lymph glands. These viruses were able to be identified by their behavior, in that they attack lymphocytes within the hostâs body, therefore weakening its immune system. Therefore the HIV virus was linked to and discovered to be the cause of AIDS. Montaigner and BarrĂ©-Sinoussiâs discovery is going to help doctors create better therapy for AIDS patients in years to come while also better analyzing this virus and why it is seemingly incurable. This is very good news for those of us who fear the spread of AIDS because it is on its way to being understood and therefore less likely to spread.
