Description:

Lister Joseph

Joseph Lister ALS re: Tuberculosis Research

 

2pp ALS on mourning stationery inscribed overall and signed by British surgeon and germ theorist Dr. Joseph Lister (1827-1912) as "Lister" on the second page. The bifold paper has "12, Park Crescent, Portland Place." letterhead. In near fine condition, with expected light folds, each page measuring 4.5" x 7." Accompanied by a stamped and postmarked envelope featuring a crowned "L" monogram on the return address flap, letter-opened at top, else near fine.

 

Dr. Joseph Lister wrote this letter on January 14, 1902 from the seaside resort town of Torquay in southwestern England. It was addressed to "Dr. Dean, The Poplars, Sudbury, Harrow."

 

"My dear Dean

 

The plan which you suggest of giving a tuberculin inoculation in the course of four months if no symptoms arise, and killing if the calf responds, is a very good one. The results hitherto seem rather disappointing. I think you have done well in not entering into details on this subject in your report, as nothing more decided can yet be stated. You have, I presume, stated in a general way that the experiments are going on. I return to London tomorrow.

 

Very truly yours

Lister".

 

Lord Lister was a veteran researcher of infectious diseases by 1902. Known as the "father of modern surgery", Lister had pioneered the study and use of antiseptics by the mid-1860s to reduce the spread of disease and prevent infections. Lister implemented the systematic use of carbolic acid during surgeries (both topically and aerosolized), and insisted that doctors wash their hands, sterilize their instruments, and wear clean garments. These simple changes reduced secondary infections precipitously, and, in conjunction with Louis Pasteur's research into microbiology, laid the foundations for understanding modern germ theory. In addition, Lister is credited with developing new surgical techniques and equipment.

 

Lord Lister frequently collaborated with his correspondent, Dr. George Dean, who served as Chief Bacteriologist at the Jenner Institute of Preventive Medicine after 1899. This letter shows that the two were already working on tuberculosis research in the beginning of 1902. 18 months later, Volume 1 of the British Medical Journal (January through June 1903) reported that "Drs. Dean and Todd have also recently performed at the suggestion of Lord Lister a series of experiments to ascertain whether the tubercle bacillus of human origin undergoes any marked change in virulence towards the bovine species by passage through certain other animals." This tuberculosis research entailed animal testing on pigs, cats, rabbits, rats, and mice.

 

The Jenner Institute was housed at The Poplars until late 1902, after which point Dr. Dean moved his "Serum Department" to larger and more modern facilities in Alderham. Before conducting his tuberculosis research, Dr. Dean researched how diphtheria could be transmitted through unpasteurized milk.

 

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