Emil Alexander de Schweinitz
Encyclopedia
Emil Alexander de Schweinitz (January 18, 1866 – February 15, 1904) was an American
bacteriologist
.
He was born in Salem, North Carolina
, and was the son of Moravian Bishop Emil de Schweinitz. He attended Nazareth Hall High School and the Moravian College of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and received a PhD from the University of North Carolina
in 1882 and another from Göttingen
in 1886.
On returning to the United States he taught chemistry
in Tufts College, Massachusetts, and then became a Professor of Chemistry at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky. After becoming associated with the chemical division of the Agricultural Department, Washington, D.C.
in 1888, he was appointed as director of the biochemical laboratory of the department's Bureau of Animal Industry
in 1890, a position he remained in until his death. He was a member of the American Public Health Association
from 1896. He was also chair
of chemistry and toxicology
in the Columbian University
and later its dean
.
He specialized in bacteria and immunity, and studied the bacterial products of tuberculosis
, hog cholera
and glanders
. Among other essays, he published Laboratory Guide (1898).
He lived at 1023 Vermont Avenue, Washington, and was a member of the Chevy, Cosmos and Metropolitan Clubs. He died suddenly of uremia
in 1904.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
bacteriologist
Bacteriology
Bacteriology is the study of bacteria. This subdivision of microbiology involves the identification, classification, and characterization of bacterial species...
.
He was born in Salem, North Carolina
Salem, North Carolina
Salem is a census-designated place in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,923 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, and was the son of Moravian Bishop Emil de Schweinitz. He attended Nazareth Hall High School and the Moravian College of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and received a PhD from the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
in 1882 and another from Göttingen
Georg-August University of Göttingen
The University of Göttingen , known informally as Georgia Augusta, is a university in the city of Göttingen, Germany.Founded in 1734 by King George II of Great Britain and the Elector of Hanover, it opened for classes in 1737. The University of Göttingen soon grew in size and popularity...
in 1886.
On returning to the United States he taught chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
in Tufts College, Massachusetts, and then became a Professor of Chemistry at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky. After becoming associated with the chemical division of the Agricultural Department, Washington, D.C.
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
in 1888, he was appointed as director of the biochemical laboratory of the department's Bureau of Animal Industry
Bureau of Animal Industry
The Bureau of Animal Industry was an organization that was established in the United States Department of Agriculture by an act on May 29, 1884...
in 1890, a position he remained in until his death. He was a member of the American Public Health Association
American Public Health Association
The American Public Health Association is Washington, D.C.-based professional organization for public health professionals in the United States. Founded in 1872 by Dr. Stephen Smith, APHA has more than 30,000 members worldwide...
from 1896. He was also chair
Chair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
of chemistry and toxicology
Toxicology
Toxicology is a branch of biology, chemistry, and medicine concerned with the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms...
in the Columbian University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
and later its dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
.
He specialized in bacteria and immunity, and studied the bacterial products of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
, hog cholera
Classical swine fever
Classical swine fever or hog cholera is a highly contagious disease of pigs and wild boar.-Clinical Signs:...
and glanders
Glanders
Glanders is an infectious disease that occurs primarily in horses, mules, and donkeys. It can be contracted by other animals such as dogs, cats and goats...
. Among other essays, he published Laboratory Guide (1898).
He lived at 1023 Vermont Avenue, Washington, and was a member of the Chevy, Cosmos and Metropolitan Clubs. He died suddenly of uremia
Uremia
Uremia or uraemia is a term used to loosely describe the illness accompanying kidney failure , in particular the nitrogenous waste products associated with the failure of this organ....
in 1904.
Works
- A Chemical Study of the Osage Orange as a Substitute for the Mulberry in rearing Silkworms (1889)
- The Poisons produced by the Hog Cholera Germ (1890)
- The Production of Immunity to Swine Plague by Use of the Products of the Germ (1891)
- The Use of Mallein and its Active Principles (1892)
- A Preliminary Study of the Poisons of the Tuberculosis Bacillus and the Practical Value and Use of Tuberculin (1892)
- Artificial Media for Bacterial Cultures (1893)
- The Effect of Tuberculin on the Milk of Cows (1894)
- The Chemical Composition of the Tuberculosis and Glanders Bacilli (1895)
- A Hygienic Study of Oleomargarine (1896)
- The War with the Microbes (1897)