Hermann Biggs
Hermann Biggs | |
---|---|
New York University School of Medicine | |
Scientific career | |
Fields | medicine public health bacteriology |
Institutions | Metropolitan Board of Health |
Hermann Michael Biggs (September 29, 1859 – June 28, 1923) was an American physician and pioneer in the field of public health who helped apply the science of bacteriology to the prevention and control of infectious diseases. He was born in Trumansburg, New York.
Biography
Educated at
Impressed by what Lillian Wald's public health nurses were able to achieve in reducing school absenteeism due to communicable diseases that could be treated at home, Biggs, who was responsible for New York City's health employed nine nurses in Manhattan – the first school nurses to be employed in any city in the United States. This led to his adding public health nursing to the municipal machinery for the control of tuberculosis. He served as president of the Tuberculosis Preventorium for Children in Farmingdale, New Jersey.
In 1913, he was chief of a board of experts appointed to make an investigation of health conditions in
In the early years of broadcasting, Biggs was among the first medical experts to have a radio program. He broadcast over station WGY in Schenectady NY on Friday nights during much of 1922, discussing common diseases and illnesses.[1]
Hermann Biggs died in New York on June 28, 1923.[2] He was buried in Grove Cemetery in Trumansburg.[3]
Recognition
After hearing that Biggs had died, governor Al Smith publicly stated, "His death is a distinct loss to the state in a most important branch of its service. In the expression of my regret, I feel that I am joined by the citizens of the state generally."[2]
Biggs' name features on the Frieze of the
A commemorative marker at his birthplace in Trumansburg was erected in November 2019.[5]
References
- ^ "Health Talk." Cincinnati Post, March 30, 1922, p. 2.
- ^ a b "Smith Mourns Early End of Doctor Biggs". Democrat and Chronicle. New York. AP. June 29, 1923. p. 1. Retrieved December 31, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Deaths and Funerals". The Ithaca Journal. June 30, 1923. p. 5. Retrieved December 31, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- LSHTM. Archived from the originalon February 22, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
- ^ "Restoring Biggs House, birthplace of America's 'Father of Public Health'".
Further reading
- Miller, E. B. (December 1990). "Bibliographic briefs on Hermann M. Biggs, M.D., and three other physicians--all honorary members of the American Veterinary Medical Association". PMID 11612511.
- "Models for public health workers: Charles V. Chapin, Hermann M. Biggs, and Joseph W. Mountin". S2CID 32044432.
- "Models for action". S2CID 36553489.
- Terris, M. (January 1975). "Breaking the barriers to prevention: legislative approaches". PMID 1090315.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Hermann Biggs Biography
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the New International Encyclopedia (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.)
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