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The Anti-toxin Laboratory in the Department of Hygiene was founded on May 1st, 1914, by The University of Toronto and Dr. John G Fitzgerald. Multiple antitoxins and vaccines were introduced to
Canada, with the opening of the lab. Many different cities across Canada, such as Quebec, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, etc. were affected. -
John G. Fitzgerald built a new laboratory, on October 25, 1915, with the funding of Colonel Gooderham. Due to the lack of space at the University, this made it impossible for large scale production of tetanus antitoxin needed for the troops in Belgium and France. This new laboratory-made the medicine more accessible and cheaper for the public and army.
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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).
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Frank Schofield discovered an Anticoagulant in an infected cattle feed. This anticoagulant later came to be known as dicoumarol. This eventually 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.
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Frederick Banting, along with Charles Best, discovered the cure for the once fatal disease, diabetes. The discovery saved millions of lives worldwide and is considered one of Canada’s most significant medical research contributions of all time. This discovery catapulted research and funding for medicine in Canada.
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The first injection of insulin resulted in the patient suffering allergic reactions. Later on, James Collip improved and purified the insulin to make up for this wrongful extract. James eventually developed a refined form of insulin that was successfully used on January 23rd, 1922.
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In 1925, Dr. Collip discovered a Parathyroid Hormone in which increases calcium throughout your body when calcium levels are already low. This discovery was essential for the development of treatments such as osteoporosis, Paget's disease and many more.
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In 1927, The University of Toronto and Dr. John Fitzgerald opened it's own School of Hygiene. This was public health and preventive medicine institution aimed to increase the quality of the medical field and a better understanding of remedial work being done.
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There was a 13-year gap between when these two significant developments occurred. In 1914, the research facilities and labs, located 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. Although after the discovery of Insulin in 1921, the funding for medical research increased immensely, which is why the medical facilities were developed to be a lot bigger and better.
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Insulin is the most important discovery to come out of this time. The Discovery of Insulin saved many lives internationally. Although, this discovery was building blocks to the advancement of health care. This discovery also increased funding for medical research immensely, which resulted in medical facilities and labs to be more advanced, leading to many more developments and findings. The school was built because all this new knowledge had to be shared with the kids.
