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Alfred Jefferis Turner facts for kids

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Alfred Jefferis Turner
Doctor Alfred Jefferis Turner
Doctor Alfred Jefferis Turner
Born 3 October 1861
Canton, China
Died 29 December 1947(1947-12-29) (aged 86)
Brisbane, Australia
Occupation Pediatrician, entomologist
Spouse(s) Hilda Constance Roehricht
Parent(s) Frederick Storrs-Turner, Sophia Mary Harmer

Alfred Jefferis Turner was a kind doctor who helped children. He was born in Canton, China, on October 3, 1861. He later moved to Brisbane, Australia, where he passed away on December 29, 1947.

Dr. Turner was a pediatrician, which means he was a doctor who specialized in treating children. He was also an amateur entomologist, someone who studies insects. His father was a missionary named Frederick Storrs-Turner.

In 1895, Dr. Turner was the first to bring diphtheria antitoxin to Australia. This medicine helped fight a serious disease. He lived in Highgate Hill, Brisbane, and many people knew him by the friendly nickname "Gentle Annie."

A special place called the Jefferis Turner Centre was opened in 1952. It was named after him to help mothers and children. Later, in 1986, it started helping children with intellectual disabilities by giving them short breaks and care. This center is in a historic building called Fairy Knoll in Ipswich.

Dr. Turner's Medical Work

Dr. Turner studied medicine at University College London and was a top student. In 1888, he moved to Australia. The very next year, he became the first head doctor at the Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane.

Dr. Turner's important research and influence helped save many children's lives in Queensland. He worked on several key health issues:

  • He introduced a special medicine called diphtheria antitoxin.
  • He helped treat hookworm-related sickness.
  • He worked to prevent lead poisoning in children.
  • He improved the quality of milk for babies.
  • He taught new mothers about health and helped set up clinics for pregnant women.

Dr. Turner also played a big part in fighting the bubonic plague in 1900. In 1904, he made it a rule that doctors had to report cases of tuberculosis. Because he was so gentle and loved children, he earned the nickname "Gentle Annie."

Studying Insects

Doctor Alfred Jefferis Turner in the Bunya Mountains 1925 small
Alfred Jefferis Turner in the Bunya Mountains on an entomological trip, 1925

Besides being a doctor, Alfred Jefferis Turner was also an amateur entomologist. This means he loved studying insects, especially moths and butterflies (which are called Lepidoptera).

He collected more than 50,000 moth specimens during his life. He later gave this huge collection to the CSIRO (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) in Canberra.

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