Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Professor Louis Grant, M.D., et al - Great Jamaican Scientists

PROF. LOUIS GRANT, M.D., C.H., M.P.H., DIP BACT., FAPHA, F.C. PATH, F.A.A.N. (1913-1993)

A microbiologist and pathologist, Prof. Louis Grant was affiliated with the University of the West Indies for 20 years where he achieved the highest academic honour, being named professor emeritus in microbiology. Young Louis Grant was surrounded by science from an early age ­ born in Vere, Clarendon in 1913, his father worked in a chemical laboratory at the Appleton Estate. As a student, Grant showed promise and received the Vere Trust scholarship to attend Jamaica College. He went on to Edinburgh University in Scotland and later specialised in tropical microbiology at the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Prof. Grant then returned to Jamaica serving his country as a medical doctor, microbiologist and pathologist.

TUBERCULOSIS

In the 1940s Dr. Grant dreamed of a
Jamaica with less disease and he decided to focus on tuberculosis ­ a disease then plaguing the island. He asked the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF for a grant to begin an inoculation campaign amongst Jamaican children. Joined by Dr. Ronald Lampart, Dr. Grant completed a mass vaccination that is credited with helping to break the cycle of infection and halt the spread of the dreaded disease.

Groundbreaking Research On Three Diseases

During the decade of the 1960s, Dr. Grant became a full professor of microbiology at the University of the West Indies, Mona. Three diseases came to his attention. Two affected the island's general population and one its horse population.

LEPTOSPIROSIS

In the early 1960s many Jamaicans began to fall ill with severe fevers. Some, who seemed otherwise healthy, soon died. Through intensive research Dr. Grant discovered that this disease was spread through contact with the urine of infected animals. Rats were immune to it and therefore major carriers of the virus. Dr. Grant deduced that rats tend to urinate after eating in kitchens and this way people would consume food on which rats might have already urinated. There is no cure for viruses, the most doctors can do is make the patient comfortable while the body fights off the infection. The leptospirosis virus, if not rejected by the body immediately on contact, would then enter the blood stream, multiply and possibly lead to death. Dr. Grant quickly spread the word, cautioning against rats entering kitchens and the danger of leaving food exposed. This public education campaign helped contain the spread of the disease, outbreaks of which have since been controlled.

EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS

In the mid-1960s, reports of a disease afflicting horses on the eastern side of the island began to surface. Prof. Grant instituted quarantine on the movement of horses, donkeys and mules from that region. After much laboratory investigation he discovered that the horses were suffering from a virus known as equine encephalitis, which could not be spread to humans but could cause great damage to Jamaica's horse population. He recommended further measures for containment, thereby preventing the spread of the virus and the ruination of Jamaica's billion-dollar horse industry. He also acquired a new title ­ the horse saviour.

DENGUE FEVER

In the late 1960s Jamaicans began to suffer from a strange fever. Dr. Grant identified it as the dengue virus and concluded after much research that it was transmitted via the aedes aegypti mosquito ­ the same mosquito that carries the deadly yellow fever virus. This led to another public education campaign and the beginning of a research effort on the study of arboviruses (viruses spread by blood-sucking insects) at UWI.

RETIREMENT

In the early 1970s Prof. Grant retired from the University of theWest Indies and moved to Canada. From 1974 to 1977 he served as the Associate Medical Officer of Health for the Niagara Regional Health Unit. From 1977 to 1984, he acted as the Medical Officer of Health for the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit. Throughout the decade he spent in Canada, Dr. Grant became an active member of the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) and the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA), a community activist and an advocate for social justice. He gained increasing recognition and was eventually able to attract large measures of funding to fulfil his lifelong dream of establishing a public health clinic for low income Jamaicans. He returned to Jamaica, bringing many international scientists with him who served at reduced or no cost. His clinic, The Foundation for International Self-Help (FISH), opened in Papine in 1985. Prof. Grant died in Jamaica in 1993, leaving behind a wife and four children and ending a career that spanned 50 years in public service. He had authored over 90 scientific publications in microbiology and public health and received the Gleaner Special Award and the Pelican Award in 1985. Prof. Grant is remembered as the father of Jamaican microbiology. In 1996, an award in the form of a $1000CD scholarship and one-year membership in OPHA was established by the OPHA in his honour. The award supports the postgraduate education of an individual enrolled in a post-graduate programme in community or public health.

Other World Class Jamaican Scientists

  • Dr. Harold M. Johnson, 1875-1974. Principal Medical Officer of health who successfully led the fight against hookworm, ringworm, and malaria in Jamaica.
  • Dr. Cicely Williams, 1893-1992. Identified protein deficiency disease kwashiorkor.
  • Dr. William E. McCulloch, 1896-1963: Found cure for Black Water Fever and Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
  • Dr. Leigh D. Lord, 1921­ : Blood transfusion pioneer who also developed "Tia Maria", the world renowned coffee liquor.
  • Prof. G. Lalor, 1930 ­ : A physical chemist Prof. Lalor is known for the discovery of haematoxylin, a substance extracted from logwood and used in the diagnosis of cancer. Now retired from UWI, he served as a lecturer, creator of UWIDITE, the system of distance learning, and of Jamaica's first geo-chemical map, which uncovered many previously unidentified elements. 1974-1995: He was the Pro-Vice Chancellor of UWI 1991: Became the second principal of the Mona campus. He remains involved in various research projects.
  • Dr. Kenneth Richards, 1933 ­ : Developed the "Richards Procedure" which made lung transplants feasible in humans.
  • Dr. Paula Tennant, 1967 ­ : A biologist and botanist, she developed the transgenic Jamaican solo sunrise papaya, which has proven resistant to the Papaya Ringspot Virus in numerous field testings.
See you in Jamaica.

71 comments:

sexygirl said...

he is such an amazing man it was sad that he died i wasn't even born when he died so what do i know

sexy girl said...

NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sexygirl said...

I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUNNY

Anonymous said...

He did so much for jamaica and many people do not know how much things jamaicans have done to prevent accidents, illnesses and much more.
I am truly proud of my country
ARE YOU?

Anonymous said...

Just by reading this article I have changed by change I mean I respect my country more than ever. And so when BLACK HISTORY MONTH comes I will be making flyers and posters telling and reminding people what blacks have done. How we are strong. Many of the backs made it out of slavery and became famous for their work. I mean some blacks are still i slavery today but they are not giving up nor complainig and so when we complain about something small think about what our ancestors went through compared to what we are going through. So I am truly proud of my country and that I am JAMAICAN and that I am BLACK.
ARE YOU PROUD?

Anonymous said...

Genial post and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you on your information.

selebrity said...

great information

Anonymous said...

suc ur mada

Anonymous said...

Why viewers still use to read news papers when in
this technological world all is accessible on web?
Also see my site: diets that work for women

Anonymous said...

Thіѕ аnti-stretch marks tеchnique is ѕuсcеssful and efficient in
each аnd еvery way.

Alsο visit mу homepage :: fundswiki.com

Anonymous said...

If some one needs to be updated with most up-to-date technologies afterward
he must be go to see this web page and be up to date every day.


Review my site - diets that work

Anonymous said...

Do not share personal items that efficacious bring around for impetigo is through the use of natural impetigo remedies and treatments.
rinse your custody thoroughgoing throughout the day to move out any cut in the cutis or wound can reason the bacterium to go
in the peel and movement infection. This volition forestall the infected peel with light gauze and antiseptic liquid
ecstasy every day.

Here is my webpage; mrsa pictures on skin

Anonymous said...

When some one searches for his essential thing, thus he/she needs to be available that in detail,
thus that thing is maintained over here.

Also visit my page ... diets that work

Anonymous said...

Hi, this weеkend is pleasаnt in faѵor of me, bеcausе this осcasіоn
і am readіng this еnormous infоrmаtive piece of writing
hеre at mу home.

Taκe a look at my blοg; kliknij link

Anonymous said...

Hello, Neat post. There's a problem together with your site in web explorer, would check this? IE still is the market leader and a huge section of folks will omit your wonderful writing because of this problem.

Look into my site :: calories walking calculator
my site: walking calculator

Anonymous said...

It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
I have read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or advice.
Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article.
I want to read more things about it!

Feel free to surf to my blog how to get followers on instagram

Anonymous said...

Hi, this weekend is good for me, for the reason
that this point in time i am reading this fantastic educational paragraph here at my house.


Have a look at my web page - diets that work
my web site :: diets that work fast for Women

Anonymous said...

I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the page layout of
your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.

But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could
connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for
only having one or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?


Also visit my web-site ... diets that work

Anonymous said...

These are genuinely impressive ideas in about blogging.
You have touched some good factors here. Any way keep up wrinting.



Feel free to visit my web-site - windows registry cleaner

Anonymous said...

I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
I'll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I am quite certain I will learn plenty of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

Feel free to visit my blog :: how to file for bankruptcy in florida

Anonymous said...

I would like to thank you for the efforts you've put in penning this site. I am hoping to see the same high-grade content from you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now ;)

Here is my homepage; diets that work
My site: diets that work

Anonymous said...

Peculiar article, totally what I wanted to find.



Feel free to surf to my website :: waist to hip ratio calculator

Anonymous said...

I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your website?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But
maybe you could a little more in the way of content so
people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or 2 images.
Maybe you could space it out better?

Check out my website; bmi calculator

Anonymous said...

I all the time emailed this blog post page to all my
contacts, because if like to read it next my friends will too.


my blog post ... windows registry cleaner

Anonymous said...

Me and ozzy fucked tougher, trying to show to my own god!
FUCK YES!' ahead of cumming inside my warm pussy. were still fucking

Also visit my web page ... hcg injections
my web page - hcg injections

Anonymous said...

gu1oganro

Feel free to surf to my site - Guaranteed Fast Loans

Anonymous said...

Wash your curly hair at the very least two days in a week.
Likewise, using imported shampoos and conditioners from
a tropical country when your climate is cold and temperate
is not such a good idea. A well groomed woman will
look to her hair and makeup first and a poll of 3,000
females across the UK revealed that about 44% feel attractive if they are having a good hair day, this compares to 16% who felt pleased with their
appearance if good teeth gave them that winning smile.

My website hair products

Anonymous said...

I blog quite often and I truly appreciate your information.
The article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to
bookmark your blog and keep checking for new information about once per week.
I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.

Also visit my web-site: bmi for women chart

Anonymous said...

What's up, yes this post is truly fastidious and I have learned lot of things from it about blogging. thanks.

Here is my web site - raspberry ketones

Anonymous said...

Great weblog right here! Additionally your site a lot up
fast! What web host are you using? Can I am getting
your associate link on your host? I desire my
web site loaded up as fast as yours lol

My webpage How Much Should I Weigh Chart

Anonymous said...

compound trаnsmisѕion lіne Waгs supports 3v3
gameplay, but it's truly more than Wish a come out in the Computer menu: more are usable in subsequent screens. In fact, these online games are a Outstanding as possibility locked doors by agency of a hidden lever or a key, or Engaging in dialogues. So, why not Use up welfare from it 3 D third person shot.

Also visit my web page: http://pokeronmap.com/

Anonymous said...

Thither are two populaг shіpωay to prevaіl free game and whiсh уοu cаn freely Represеnt аny gеnial οf
gаme which you Ϲаге nеar.
You aсcumulаte points thаt сan bе a wondeг is coined the Suсcess аnd thе hоst
restarts.

My web pagе: onthank.info

Anonymous said...

When someone writes an paragraph he/she keeps the image of a
user in his/her brain that how a user can understand it. So that's why this post is outstdanding. Thanks!

my site :: bmi calculator women

Anonymous said...

When someone writes an paragraph he/she keeps the image of a user in his/her
brain that how a user can understand it. So that's why this post is outstdanding. Thanks!

my page: bmi calculator women

Anonymous said...

It's hard to come by knowledgeable people on this topic, however, you seem like you know what you're talking about!
Thanks

Also visit my webpage how to get rid of stretch marks

Anonymous said...

Howdy! I understand this is somewhat off-topic but I
had to ask. Does running a well-established blog like yours take a large amount of work?
I'm brand new to writing a blog but I do write in my diary every day. I'd like to start a blog so I can share
my experience and feelings online. Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or
tips for brand new aspiring bloggers. Thankyou!

Review my webpage :: walking calorie calculator

Anonymous said...

Hi, its good piece of writing concerning media print, we all be aware of
media is a fantastic source of information.

my web site: gift ideas for men

Anonymous said...

Thanks very interesting blog!

Here is my webpage jack lalane power juicer

Anonymous said...

Ahaa, its nice discussion regarding this piece of writing here at this weblog,
I have read all that, so now me also commenting
here.

Also visit my blog; filing bankruptcy in florida

Anonymous said...

Hello Dear, are you actually visiting this web page regularly, if so afterward you will definitely obtain pleasant
experience.

Also visit my page; how to lose weight quickly

Anonymous said...

Thе Liberatе online games Еxρеrіence the ability to bait teenageгѕ by

Here iѕ my homеpage ... www.amishmembers.com

Anonymous said...

After checking out a handful of the blog posts on
your web site, I seriously like your technique of blogging.
I added it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back
soon. Please check out my web site too and tell me what you think.


Here is my weblog: juicing recipes for juicers

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to more added agreeable from you!
However, how can we communicate?

Have a look at my web site: how to lose weight quickly

Anonymous said...

Hurrah! In the end I got a web site from where I can really obtain helpful facts concerning my study and knowledge.



Review my weblog :: diets that work fast for women

Anonymous said...

Hi, I do think this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it ;)
I am going to revisit once again since i have book-marked it.
Money and freedom is the greatest way to
change, may you be rich and continue to help others.

Here is my web blog :: waist height ratio

Anonymous said...

Keep on working, great job!

Also visit my webpage - Resting metabolic rate calculator

Anonymous said...

If you desire to take much from this piece of writing then
you have to apply these strategies to your won webpage.


My website: bmi for women chart

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's what I was looking for, what a data! existing here at this web site, thanks admin of this web site.

my website crash diets that work

Anonymous said...

My family always say that I am wasting my time here at
net, however I know I am getting experience every day by reading such pleasant articles.


Feel free to surf to my page ... diet that works

Anonymous said...

Great post! We will be linking to this particularly great
article on our website. Keep up the good writing.

Also visit my weblog - magic johnson

Anonymous said...

I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?

Plz respond as I'm looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. kudos

Also visit my weblog :: vegetables juice

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure exactly why but this weblog is loading incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end? I'll check back later and see if the
problem still exists.

Also visit my weblog: waist height ratio

Anonymous said...

Pretty! This was a really wonderful article. Thank you for supplying this info.


Also visit my web blog :: Waist To Hip Ratio Chart

Anonymous said...

Whats up very cool web site!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .
. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also? I'm happy to seek out so many useful info right here within the submit, we need develop extra strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

Feel free to surf to my homepage; bmi calculator female

Anonymous said...

It's wonderful that you are getting thoughts from this post as well as from our dialogue made at this time.

Here is my homepage - diet plan to lose weight

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement
account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you!

However, how can we communicate?

my page :: crash diets that work

Anonymous said...

It's actually very complicated in this active life to listen news on Television, thus I just use the web for that purpose, and take the newest news.

Take a look at my site - ways to lose weight fast

Anonymous said...

Hello! I know this is kinԁa off topic but I was wondering
whiсh blоg platform are you using fοr this site?
Ӏ'm getting fed up of Wordpress because I've
haԁ issues ωith hacκeгѕ аnd I'm looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

Also visit my site; Tetris Battle Hack,

Anonymous said...

Ϻу family members all thе tіme say
that I am waѕting my time here at net, but I κnow I аm gettіng fаmiliarіty all the tіme bу
гeading thеs pleasаnt artiсles or revieωs.


my web sitе: make money online

Anonymous said...

Good day! I could have sworn I've been to this site before but after reading through some of the post I realized it's new to me.
Anyways, I'm definitely delighted I found it and I'll be bookmarking
and checking back frequently!

Feel free to surf to my web-site magnetized Flashlights

Anonymous said...

No matter if some one searches for his required thing, therefore he/she wishes to be
available that in detail, so that thing is maintained over here.



my webpage :: published here

Anonymous said...

Wow, superb blog format! How lengthy have you been running a blog for?
you make running a blog look easy. The entire glance of your website is magnificent, as
well as the content material!

my web site: magic johnson

Anonymous said...

Hey this is a real cool website

my blog post ... having trouble getting pregnant the third time

Anonymous said...

Can you tell us more about this? I'd want to find out more details.

my blog: diet plan

Anonymous said...

I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning
this website. I'm hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts from you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own site now ;)

Also visit my blog what should i weigh for my height

Anonymous said...

I every time spent my half an hour to read this webpage's content every day along with a mug of coffee.

My web site - http://tejo.jns.fi

Anonymous said...

Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this article and also the rest of the website is extremely good.


my web-site ... forex trading systems

Anonymous said...

This blog has helped me with my homework.

Anonymous said...

Please stop advertising your websites that is not waht this article is for. -_- go spam on something unimportant this is a great article about a great man and most people don't care so please stop filling up the comments with spam.
Sincerely,
Everyone who cares

Unknown said...

This man is so Amasingly awsome

Unknown said...

This man is so Amasingly awsome