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Opening of the UofT’s “Antitoxin Laboratory in the Department of Hygiene”
On May 1st, 1914, Dr. John G Fitzgerald and the University of Toronto founded the Antitoxin Laboratory in the Department of Hygiene (Lem). The opening of the lab allowed for many new antitoxins and vaccines which were not previously present in Canada to be introduced (Lem). The importance of this lab was felt nation-wide with these newfound medicines being sent to many different cities across Canada, such as Quebec, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, etc (Lem). -
Opening of Connaught Laboratories
On October 25, 1915, a new laboratory was built by John. G. Fitzgerald with the funding of Colonel Gooderham (Lem). This was built due to the lack of space at the University Laboratory which made it impossible for large scale production of tetanus antitoxin which was needed for the troops in Belgium and France (Lem). This new laboratory made the medicine more accessible and cheaper for the public and army (Lem). -
Establishment of Canada's Federal Department of Health
The Federal Department of Health was established to take charge over the old federal health functions, mainly to do with quarantine and food and drugs standards, as well as to cooperate with voluntary organizations and the provinces to fight against prominent diseases at the time such as Venereal Disease and Tuberculosis (Dickin). -
Frank Schofield Discovers the Beginnings of the First Blood Thinner
In 1921, Frank Schofield discovered an Anticoagulant in an infected cattle feed (Over a Century of Innovation). This later came to be known as dicoumarol, which led to the discovery of Vitamin K inhibitors, which were used as blood thinners to prevent strokes and heart attacks, as well as to prevent blood clotting during surgery (Over a Century of Innovation). -
The Discovery of Insulin
In the year 1921, Frederick Banting along with Charles Best discovered the cure for the once fatal disease, diabetes (Discovery of Insulin - H&C). The discovery saved millions of lives worldwide and is considered one of Canada’s greatest medical research contributions of all time (Discovery of Insulin - H&C). This discovery catapulted research and funding for medicine in Canada (Discovery of Insulin - H&C). -
The First Successful use of Insulin
After a patient suffered allergic reactions from the first injection of Insulin, James Collip improved and purified Insulin to fix this impure extract (Diabetes UK). After 12 days of work, James Collip developed the purified form of Insulin that was successfully injected on January 23rd, 1922 (Diabetes UK). -
The Discovery of Parathyroid Hormone
Dr. James Collip discovered the Parathyroid Hormone which increases the calcium levels in bones, kidneys, and intestines when calcium levels are low (You and Your Hormones). This discovery helped the development of treatments for osteoporosis, bone disorders, Paget’s disease and more (Over a Century of Innovation). -
The School of Hygiene opens
The School of Hygiene was the first public health and preventive medicine institution in Canada. Dr. John Fitzgerald aimed to increase the quality of the medical field and create a greater understanding of the medical work being done, while also creating more research facilities and labs (Lem). -
First Canadian Manufacturer of Synthetic Vitamin D2
In 1928, Charles E. Frosst & Co. of Montreal gained the license to manufacture Synthetic Vitamin D2 in Canada. This made the Vitamin D easily available within Canada helping to prevent diseases such as rickets (Over a Century of Innovation). -
Continuity and Change (1)
Two Events: The Opening of the University of Toronto’s “Antitoxin Laboratory in the Department of Hygiene” (1914) and The Opening of the School of Hygiene (1927) -
Continuity and Change (2)
Throughout this 13 year gap, many things had changed and continued. In 1914, the research facilities and labs in Toronto were smaller and less advanced with the Antitoxin Lab being located in converted rooms in the basement of the University’s Medical Building (Lem). After the discovery of Insulin in 1921, the funding for medical research increase, thus medical facilities became bigger and better (Discovery of Insulin - H&C). -
Continuity and Change (3)
Medicine became cheaper and more accessible (Lem). The amount of knowledge and research had increased as well since the opening of the Antitoxin Lab due to the various discoveries and findings since that time (Lem). Although much had changed, much stayed the same. For one, both facilities were built by Dr. John G Fitzgerald (Lem). At both times, healthcare was not free and the general public lacked education on health care. -
Cause and Consequence (4)
Two Events: The Discovery of Insulin (1921) and The Opening of the School of Hygiene. (1927) -
Cause and Consequence (5)
The Discovery of Insulin was the most important discovery to come out of this time period. The Discovery of Insulin had a huge effect worldwide, saving many lives. But apart from that, this discovery paved the way for the advancement of medical care. Due to this discovery, funding for medical research increased immensely (Discovery of Insulin - H&C). -
Cause and Consequence (6)
This allowed for medical facilities and labs to become more advanced, which led to many more discoveries and findings. This extra funding allowed for The School of Hygiene to be built. With all this new knowledge, the need for educating the youth became more important, which is why the School was built (Lem). The Discovery allowed the school to have high tech facilities and labs to further continue research and growth in medical care (Lem).
