The last reported case of smallpox in the United States occurred
In 1949, the last reported case of smallpox in the U.S. occurred. Although it took another two decades…
The US blood system reached a benchmark of 1,500 hospital blood banks, 46 community blood centers, and 31 American Red Cross regional blood centers
In 1949, the U.S. blood system reached a benchmark of 1,500 hospital blood banks, 46 community blood centers,…
FDA published guidance to industry known as the “black book”
In 1949, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published guidance to industry for the first time. This guidance,…
The first artifical heart pump developed
In 1949, the first artificial heart pump was developed at Yale by William H. Sewell and William W….
John Enders, Thomas Weller and Frederick Robbins grew poliovirus in culture, paving the way for polio vaccines
In 1949, John Enders, Thomas Weller and Frederick Robbins grew poliovirus in culture, paving the way for polio…
A team of Harvard researchers found that the poliovirus could be grown in non-neural tissue cultures
In 1949, a team of Harvard researchers led by Dr. John F. Enders found that the poliovirus could…
Ancel Keyes, MD founded the University of Minnesota’s Laboratory of Physiologic Hygiene
In 1949, Ancel Keyes, M.D. founded the University of Minnesota’s Laboratory of Physiologic Hygiene for research on physiology,…
Ethicon was formed from Johnsonï¾ &ï¾ Johnson’s heritage suture business
In 1949, Ethicon was formed from Johnson ï¾ &ï¾ Johnson’s heritage suture business.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was founded
In 1949, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) was founded in New York. The LLS mission is to…
Dr Jonas Salk began classifying more than 100 strains of poliovirus
In 1949, Dr. Jonas Salk, with grants from the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, the Pitt team and…
Canadaï¾’s first full-time cancer physicist, Dr. Harold Johns, led the world in development the cobalt bomb cancer treatment
In 1949, Canadaï¾’s first full-time cancer physicist, Dr. Harold Johns, led the world in development the cobalt bomb…
The Medical College of Virginia Foundation was incorporated
In 1949, The Medical College of Virginia Foundation (MCV) was incorporated with the mission to inspire and steward…
The city of Seattle created a locked ward for TB sufferers who deny treatment
In 1949, to help stem the spread of tuberculosis, the city of Seattle created a locked ward for…
The U.S. was declared free of malaria
In 1949, the office of Malaria Control declared the U.S. was free of malaria as a significant public…
A patient at Saint Marys Hospital received the first injection of Compound E (Cortisone) for rheumatoid arthritis
On Sept. 21, 1948, a 28-year-old woman at Saint Marys Hospital (Mayo Clinic) in Rochester, MN received the…
John Roderick Heller became the fourth and longest serving director of the National Cancer Institute
On May 15, 1948, John Roderick Heller became the fourth and longest serving director of the National Cancer…
John Enders, Thomas Weller and Frederick Robbins successfully grew poliovirus in live cells
In March 1948, John Enders, Thomas Weller, and Frederick Robbins used human embryonic skin and muscle tissue, grown…
The World Health Organization was founded in Geneva
On Apr. 7, 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) was founded in Geneva. WHO is the directing and…
President Truman appointed Leonard A Scheele as US Surgeon General
On Apr. 6, 1948, President Harry Truman appointed Leonard A. Scheele as U.S. Surgeon General.
The Priestley Medal was awarded to Edward R. Weidlein
In 1948, the American Chemical Society awarded the Priestley Medal to Edward R. Weidlein “to recognize distinguished services…
Warfarin was introduced as a pesticide against rats and mice
In 1948, Warfarin was introduced as a pesticide against rats and mice. Warfarin (a.k.a. Coumadin) is an anticoagulant…
George Hitchings and Gertrude Elion synthesized 6-mercaptopurine to combat childhood leukemia
In 1948, George Hitchings and Hitchings and laboratory assistant Gertrude Elion synthesized 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), an antimetabolite, to combat…
The Arthritis Foundation was founded
In 1948, The Arthritis Foundation, the leading health organization addressing the needs of some 46 million Americans living…
The Red Cross began the first nationwide blood program for civilians
In 1948, the Red Cross began the first nationwide blood program for civilians, at a collection center in…
The National Cancer Institute’s grants program to medical, dental, and osteopathic schools was initiated
In 1948, the National Cancer Institute’s grants program to medical, dental, and osteopathic schools was initiated for improvement…
Chester Emmons first pointed out reservoirs of histoplasmosis in soil and bats
In 1948, Chester Emmons from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases first pointed out reservoirs of…
Miller Amendment affirmed that the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
In 1948, the Miller Amendment affirmed that the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act applied to goods regulated…
World Health Organization Influenza Centre was established in London
In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) Influenza Centre was established at the National Institute for Medical Research…
The Medical College of Georgia published research that laid the groundwork for beta blocking drugs
In 1948, pharmacologist Dr. Raymond P. Ahlquist of the Medical College of Georgia published research that laid the…
First stenotic mitral heart valve operations performed at Peter Bent Brigham
In 1948, the first series of successful operations was performed at Peter Bent Brigham for repair of stenotic…