Karl Friedrich Meyer
Karl Friedrich Meyer (19 May 1884 – 27 April 1974) was an American scientist of Swiss origin. He was one of the most prodigious scientists in many areas of infectious diseases in man and animals, the ecology of pathogens, epidemiology and public health.[1-6] Some called him the “Pasteur of the 20th century”.[1]
Early life and education
Meyer was born in Basel (Switzerland) to Theodor Meyer, 1852–1934, (a „Meyer zum Pfeil”), international cigar merchant, and Sophie, née Lichtenhahn, teacher, 1857-1936. Karl Friedrich had two younger sisters.
Meyer began his studies in 1902 at the
Scientific career
South Africa, 1908–1910
Meyer found his first employment in South Africa. The Transvaal Department of Agriculture in the (then)
Theiler employed Meyer as
In addition, Meyer had to develop vaccines, one against
Meyer and Theiler both were strong personalities who did not get along too well. Shortly after returning to Switzerland, Meyer was offered a position as an assistant professor at the Veterinary School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania, US, 1910–1913
Meyer taught pathology and comparative pathology at the Veterinary School of Pennsylvania. He argued with the Dean over dealing with ill-prepared students that had been admitted to the school.
Meyer was promoted to professor, and was put in charge of the diagnostic section of the Laboratory and Experimental Farm of the Pennsylvania Livestock Sanitary Board. He studied glanders, a bacterial disease in horses and mules which first affects the mucous membranes. It may be lethal, and is also dangerous to humans.
He also helped to elucidate the transmission of the bacteria causing a contagious abortion disease of cattle and also infecting humans via
California, US, 1914–1974
In 1914 Meyer changed to the University of California (
Starting in 1915, he worked at the George Williams Hooper Foundation Institute for Medical Research, University of California, devoted to medical research (whose first director was
Research and achievements
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2021) |
A selection of concise overviews of Meyer’s impacts on the understanding of the diseases he worked on, their diagnoses and treatments, and their prevention are presented below.
Brucellosis
Meyer contributed significantly to the understanding of the broad spectrum of the disease forms of Brucellosis. He suggested classing the various species of bacteria into one family (genus), formally named Brucella, to honor the discoverer, Sir David Bruce (microbiologist and pathologist; 1855–1931). – Meyer also worked on tests and treatments of the diseases. As a member of the San Francisco State Milk Commission he helped to develop industrial food processing standards needed for upgrading the hygiene in the milk industries.
Botulism
Meyer started his work on
Equine encephalitis
Meyer also investigated what are called
Yellow fever
During the years of World War II a vaccine against yellow fever was used in the Armed Forces that produced (unexpectedly) adverse reactions such as jaundice. Meyer stepped in, discovered mistakes in its production and helped producing a safe and effective vaccine.[1]
Plague
Meyer conducted a great many investigations on the nature of the bacillus causing
Psittacosis
Mussel Poison
Under Meyer’s guidance, methods of testing
Valley Fever
Valley fever, i.e. coccidioidomycosis (or California Valley Fever) is caused by airborne, fungal particles dwelling in the soil in certain parts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Infection is caused – in about half of the people exposed – by inhalation of the fungal particles (known as
Leptospirosis
The disease Leptospirosis may be transmitted to humans upon exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals (such as cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, rodents, and other wild animals). Meyer’s many investigations contributed greatly to the understanding of the disease. He developed a diagnostic test as well as methods of vaccination. Among other things, Meyer found about half of all dogs in San Francisco infected. Later, after Meyer’s interventions, the dog-epidemic disappeared.
Additional achievements
Meyer worked, in addition to the many fields mentioned, also on the effects of air pollution and lead on farm animals, as well as on
Many scientists thought that Meyer’s outlining and discussion of the concept of latent infections was a very significant and wide-ranging contribution. His conception of the (large) reservoir of microbes in the animal kingdom, bearing many dangers to humans, was important.
Meyer’s extraordinary series of publications and papers presented at conferences (including talks on the radio) were important parts in promoting the state of the art. He published more than 800 articles in books and scientific journals (of which about 200 were written after his official retirement, when continuing his work as Honorary Director of the Hooper Institute and Honorary Professor).
Meyer served on the editorial boards of several professional journals. Thus, he kept in close contact and co-operated with many other leading medical microbiologists, medical doctors, leaders in public health, and agencies of public health.[8]
Meyer had wide-ranging interests, including history and, in particular, history of biology. He also was an accomplished photographer and fascinated by radio in its early days. Another specialty of his was philately, where he concentrated on disinfected mail, about which he wrote a book.
Teaching
In 1914, Meyer began teaching courses in medical bacteriology at Berkeley. His lectures, always most diligently prepared, were all brilliant, dynamic, captivating, and demanded a great deal from all students. Soon his lectures were famous and attracted great numbers of students (also from outside of medicine).[5]
Legacy
Friends and colleagues concluded after his death that Meyer had more influence on microbiology and epidemiology than any other scientist of his time: he was driven by a deep-seated concern for the public health He always went beyond research to implement practical measures of preventing and fighting the diseases. A former student and friend once wrote: "Meyer would have won a Nobel Prize if he hadn't worked on so many areas of discovery that nobody could keep track of all that he was doing".[1]
He was responsible, among others, for improving laws regulating hygiene in the food industries and in public health. He established training programs in Public Health in California (and the Western States of the US). He was an excellent and inspiring, though very demanding, teacher.[5]
Meyer was honored for his work by many honorary degrees, awards, medals, fellowships, honorary memberships or honorary chairmanships of scientific associations. Nine American and European universities bestowed
Personal life
Meyer married Mary Elizabeth Lindsay (1883–1958) on July 16, 1913. The two had one daughter, Charlotte, born in 1918. Meyer’s second marriage (in 1960) was with Marion Grace Lewis (1916–1998). He became an American citizen in 1922.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Karl F. Meyer; Medical Research and Public Health, with Recollections by S. S. Elberg, J. Schachter, L. E. Foster, J. H Steele. An Interview Conducted by E. T. Daniel in 1961 and 1962. Typoscript, 439 p. The Regents of the University of California, 1976
- ^ J. H. Steele. Karl Friedrich Meyer, in J. Infect. Dis. 129, S. 404-411 (Supplement), May 1974.
- ^ a b A. D. Sabin. Karl Friedrich Meyer, May 19, 1884 – April 27, 1974. Biographical Memoirs, Vol. 42, S. 268-332. National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. National Academy Press, Washington D.C. 1980
- Frederick P. Gay and Glanville Y. Rusk (1915) Outline of a combined courses in pathology, including bacteriology and protozoology, infection and immunity, experimental pathology, histopathology and morbid anatomy, link from HathiTrust
- ^ a b c d J. Schachter. Karl F. Meyer, the Scientist Dedicated to Service, Bull. Schweiz. Akad. Med. Wiss. 33, S. 187-199,1977
- ^ "School of Public Health History". UC Berkeley. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
- ^ D. C. Cavanaugh. Karl Friedrich Meyer (1884-1974). J. of Wildlife Dis., Vol. 10, pp. 488-490, Oct. 1974
- ^ a b U. Gessner. Karl Friedrich Meyer, 1884-1974
- Karl F. Meyer (1976) Medical Research and Public Health, with recollections by S. S. Elberg, J. Schachter, L. E. Foster, J. H Steele. An Interview Conducted by E. T. Daniel in 1961 and 1962, Typoscript, 439 p. Regents of the University of California.
- J. H. Steele (May 1974) Karl Friedrich Meyer, in Journal of Infectious Diseases129, S. 404-411 (Supplement).
- A. D. Sabin (1980) Karl Friedrich Meyer, May 19, 1884 – April 27, 1974, Biographical Memoirs, Vol. 42, S. 268-332. National Academy Press, Washington D.C.
- J. Schachter (1977) Karl F. Meyer, the Scientist Dedicated to Service, Bull. Schweiz. Akad. Med. Wiss. 33, S. 187-199.
- D. C. Cavanaugh (October 1974) Karl Friedrich Meyer (1884–1974). J. of Wildlife Dis., Vol. 10, pp. 488–490.
- U. Gessner. Karl Friedrich Meyer, 1884-1974. REVIEW of the Swiss American Historical Society. In press.