Chincona, Gin and Tonic

The story of the Countess of Chinchón and the fever remedy from Peru is a captivating tale that intertwines historical fact, legend, and the eventual discovery of one of the world’s most important medicines.  The rich and fabulous kingdom of Peru was conquered by the spanish forces, subjugated and ruled by a viceroy from Spain.Continue reading “Chincona, Gin and Tonic”

The Tree of Life ( Arborvitae)

November, 1535 Quebec City Jacques Cartier’s ship was trapped by ice. It was the harshest winter in the arctic region. Half of his crew were dying of an unknown disease. Their gums bled, teeth fell out. Their skin were spotted with bleeding, and bodies were swollen with pain. Winter was harsh in Canada that year.Continue reading “The Tree of Life ( Arborvitae)”

Impact of Microbes and Vitamins on Modern Medicine

The growth of medical science was never smooth and linear. While the 1880s saw Koch’s postulates lead to the rapid discovery of most bacterial causes of disease, the 1930s witnessed the identification of deficiency diseases. In the 5,000-year history of medical science, no two decades have had such a profound impact on modern medicine.