Today in history: Founder of tropical medicine is born
Based on his observations, Manson theorised that the mosquito activated the life cycle of the worm, Filaria, which causes elephantiasis.
Sir Patrick Manson was a Scottish physician who made important discoveries in parasitology, and was the founder of the field of tropical medicine.
Manson was born on 3 October 1844 in Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire, Scotland and graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a Masters in Surgery, a Doctor in Medicine and a Doctor in Law.
Manson’s theories about the mosquito and its contribution to the spread of disease were significant.
Based on his observations, Manson theorised that the mosquito activated the life cycle of the worm, Filaria, which causes elephantiasis.
Under his supervision, Sir Ronald Ross described the life cycle of plasmodium, and won the Nobel Prize in 1902, after he had proved Manson’s theory.
On his return from his contract in Asia in 1889, Manson continued to teach and opened the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine that same year on 2 October .
His pioneer work in parasitology led to an important breakthrough in medicine, one that would be very valuable in treating malaria in many areas of the African continent, including some parts of South Africa.
Information sourced from: South African History Online.
