Ulcers and Marshall
In the late Seventies, till about 1980, the accepted medical theory was that the ulcers were caused by stress, smoking, and alcohol. In India, there was another 'cause' added - the Kaaram (milagai) one eats.
In 1982, an Australian scientist, Marshall, was convinced that the ulcers were caused by a hither-to unknown bacteria that were living in a sterile, acidic zone - the STOMACH - that medical texts had declared uninhabitable.
Unfortunately, Marshall's and his assistant Warren's attempts to culture this bacteria failed. But then, FATE intervened, and a lucky break brought them a crop of this bacteria. When they explained, or tried to explain, this phenomenon at an International Conference, Marshall was booed down.
Unfettered, in 1984, Marshall, then 32, swallowed the growth from a three-day culture; and five days later, he experienced the classic symptoms of severe gastritis (ulcers). Then he cured himself by taking antibiotics !!
Helicobacter pylori - thats the name of the bacteria - has since been acknowledged as the cause for not just ulcers but also for virtually all stomach cancers. Marshall's antibiotic treatment has replaced surgery as standard care.
And, the wise guy booed off the stage at scientific meetings, Mr. Barry J Marshall, of University of Western Australia, has won the NOBEL PRIZE last week ! Alongwith his assistant Robin Warren.
Love,
Rajappa
13 Oct 2005 11:29AM
In the late Seventies, till about 1980, the accepted medical theory was that the ulcers were caused by stress, smoking, and alcohol. In India, there was another 'cause' added - the Kaaram (milagai) one eats.
In 1982, an Australian scientist, Marshall, was convinced that the ulcers were caused by a hither-to unknown bacteria that were living in a sterile, acidic zone - the STOMACH - that medical texts had declared uninhabitable.
Unfortunately, Marshall's and his assistant Warren's attempts to culture this bacteria failed. But then, FATE intervened, and a lucky break brought them a crop of this bacteria. When they explained, or tried to explain, this phenomenon at an International Conference, Marshall was booed down.
Unfettered, in 1984, Marshall, then 32, swallowed the growth from a three-day culture; and five days later, he experienced the classic symptoms of severe gastritis (ulcers). Then he cured himself by taking antibiotics !!
Helicobacter pylori - thats the name of the bacteria - has since been acknowledged as the cause for not just ulcers but also for virtually all stomach cancers. Marshall's antibiotic treatment has replaced surgery as standard care.
And, the wise guy booed off the stage at scientific meetings, Mr. Barry J Marshall, of University of Western Australia, has won the NOBEL PRIZE last week ! Alongwith his assistant Robin Warren.
Love,
Rajappa
13 Oct 2005 11:29AM
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