Author
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Klevay, Leslie |
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Submitted to: Journal of Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: In 1914, pellagra was widely believed to be of infectious origin. This situation was not surprising because identification of specific microbes with specific diseases began several decades before specific nutritional deficiencies became known. Joseph Goldberger, who had experience in infectious disease, was assigned by the U.S. Public Health Service to be in charge of pellagra studies. This paper, part of a symposium on the history of nutrition, describes the state of medical thought early in the century and reviews how Goldberger disproved the infectious nature of pellagra by keen observation and experiment. Technical Abstract: In 1914, pellagra was widely believed to be of infectious origin. This situation was not surprising because identification of specific microbes with specific diseases began several decades before specific nutritional deficiencies became known. Joseph Goldberger, who had experience in infectious disease, was assigned by the U.S. Public Health Service to be in charge of pellagra studies. This paper, part of a symposium on the history of nutrition, describes the state of medical thought early in the century and reviews how Goldberger disproved the infectious nature of pellagra by keen observation and experiment. |
