Albert John Chalmers facts for kids
Albert John Chalmers (born March 28, 1870 – died April 5, 1920) was a British doctor who worked in different parts of the world, especially in tropical countries. He was a pioneer in studying and treating diseases common in hot climates, known as tropical medicine.
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A Life Dedicated to Tropical Medicine
Albert John Chalmers was born in Manchester, England, on March 28, 1870. He finished his medical studies in 1890 at University College, Liverpool.
Early Career in West Africa
Chalmers joined the West African Medical Service. He worked for four years in the Gold Coast Colony (which is now Ghana). There, he was an assistant colonial surgeon, helping to provide medical care in the colony.
In 1900, during the Siege of Kumasi, he was the acting main medical officer. He was recognized for his service during this time. He also received the Ashanti Medal for his efforts.
Work in Ceylon
In 1901, Chalmers moved to British Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). For the next ten years, he worked at the Colombo Medical College. He was a registrar, which means he managed records, and also taught about diseases.
He was a captain in the Ceylon Volunteer Medical Corps, a group of medical volunteers. In 1907, he became the president of the Ceylon branch of the British Medical Association. This was a big honor for doctors.
Leading Tropical Research
In 1911, he received the King George V Coronation Medal. After working with a group studying a disease called Pellagra in 1913, he got an important job. He became the Director of the Wellcome Tropical Research Laboratories in Khartoum, Sudan. By this time, he was very well-known in the field of tropical medicine.
While in Colombo, he wrote an important book with Aldo Castellani. It was called Manual of Tropical Medicine. The first version came out in 1910. People said it was one of the best books on tropical medicine at the time.
Final Journey
In February 1920, Chalmers decided to leave his job in Sudan. He planned to travel the world with his wife, Alice. While they were traveling in India, Chalmers became very sick. He passed away on April 5, 1920, from a serious illness.
Today, the Chalmers Memorial Medal is given out every year by the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. It honors excellent research that helps us understand tropical medicine and health better.
See Also
- Tropical medicine
- History of medicine
