HISTORIAS                    Manuel Espejo

The Penicillin

 

Arguably one of the most groundbreaking and remarkable innovations in the history of humanity is the discovery of penicillin. This finding stands out for the countless lives it has saved, and yet, it was a serendipitous occurrence. How did this remarkable event transpire?

In 1928, Dr. Alexander Fleming, a Scottish researcher, was conducting experiments on the influenza virus at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. Upon returning from a two-week holiday, he stumbled upon a fortuitous observation: a mould that had inadvertently contaminated and killed the bacteria he was cultivating. Fleming noticed that this chance mould culture inhibited the growth of staphylococci bacteria. This mould was identified as Penicillium notatum, which later lent its name to the substance we now know as penicillin.

Further investigations led to the development of penicillin as we know it today. Subsequently, various forms of antibiotics were discovered. Antibiotics have since become one of the most diverse and widely used categories of pharmaceuticals. This achievement in pharmacology stands as one of the greatest milestones in human history, having saved millions of lives.

Interestingly, when Fleming initially observed that certain moulds inhibited bacterial growth, he was unaware that ancient Egyptians had used fungi to prevent infections in wounds. Throughout the history of medicine, there are numerous examples of ancient cultures and contemporary physicians utilizing moulds to treat infections. Although these individuals did not synthesize antibiotics as we do today, they understood the properties of these moulds.

Similar experiences have been documented in Europe in more recent centuries, particularly during the 19th century when clinical investigations took place. These investigations could have potentially led to the discovery of antibiotics, but, regrettably, they were not successful.

What does the history of medicine teach us regarding antibiotics? There are three fundamental lessons:

Firstly, scientific progress is often intertwined with chance, as exemplified by the discovery of penicillin. Probability, as we will encounter in other examples, plays a significant role in human advancements.

Secondly, human progress is not always linear; sometimes, we regress or forget the strides we have made. Our species can take both forward and backward steps.

Lastly, ancient civilizations possessed valuable knowledge and wisdom, much of which has been forgotten over time. Studying their insights can provide valuable guidance in addressing contemporary challenges. Understanding our past gives us a better chance of shaping the future.