Let’s end off February strong by commemorating black history month! Black people have played a pivotal role in advancing medicine, starting in the year 1706 with Onesimus. Onesimus was a slave who introduced a concept similar to vaccination to his owner, Cotton Mather, saving many from contracting smallpox. Onesimus explained that he had undergone a treatment where pus from an infected person was rubbed into an open wound on his arm. His immune system responded to the pus, protecting Onesimus from contracting smallpox. Yes, he had a small reaction but that was significantly better than dying from the disease. Cotton Mather told physician Zabdiel Boyston, and in 1721, they inoculated 242 Bostonians. The death rate for those inoculated was one in forty, much better than the one in six rate faced by those who did not receive the treatment. Onesimus saved so many from dying a painful death from smallpox.
Dr. Charles R. Drew, an African American, organized the first large-scale blood bank. Known as the pioneer of blood transfusions, he designed and managed a program for the blood storage and preservation prior to World War One. He later created “bloodmobiles”, refrigerated trucks that could store and transport blood. Dr. Drew centralized the system and established locations where people could donate blood and receive transfusions. This eventually became known as the American Red Cross Blood Bank.
Do not forget about black doctors! Dr. James Durham was the first black physician, practicing independently since 1783. He saved many lives during the yellow fever epidemic in New Orleans. His business was booming until a license was required by law and he had no avenue to pursue one. Dr. James McCune Smith was the first African American to earn an MD degree, graduating from Glasgow University with not one but three academic degrees. Dr. Smith was closely associated with Frederick Douglas, together founding the National Council of the Colored People. Celestin Medical Care is also a black-owned business! Schedule an appointment today!
Image: Minnesota Association of Black Physicians (MAPB)
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