Alexander Fleming was a young bacteriologist when he accidentally discovered penicillin, one of the most effective and widespread used medications to ever hit the market of his time. Because he left a plate of staphylococcus bacteria uncovered, Fleming noticed that a mold had infected the plate and that the mold had killed almost all of the Staph culture. Mr. Fleming noted that the mold that had grown on his plate was that of Penicillium Notatum, a mold commonly found in bread.
In 1929, Fleming released his newfound medication to the U.S. Department of Agriculture where it turned into medicine and for decades it was one of the most used medications in the world and was used to treat everything from infections to cancer. Scientists and historians believe that this was one of the most beneficial discoveries to ever be brought upon the medical world.
Fun Facts:
- Fleming didn't have enough funds or backing to do much with his discovery, which was unfortunate, but he did forward his finding to the U.S. Departement of Agriculture, where it then became a medicine.
- Penicillin was first widely used during World War I
- If you were allergic to penicillin in the 1930s, you were out of luck. That was about the only medications doctors used to treat you, so if you were allergic to penicillin, you would have to choke it down and deal with the symptoms.
These are awesome! Keep it up!
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