Alexander Fleming was the
discoverer
of penicillin, the medicine which kills bacteria. The discovery of
penicillin
has revolutionized the treatment of diseases, caused due to bacteria.
Penicillin and the whole group of antibiotics enabled surgeons to
perform
operations and life expectancy increased. Due to this medicine, today,
the
whole structure of society is altering.
Alexander Fleming was born
in 1881 in
Scotland. He showed deep interest in sports. He liked swimming,
hunting,
football and climbing trees etc. After passing school, Alexander chose
to study
medicine. There he met Almroh Wright, a great bacteriologist, who
invited him
to his laboratory. He accepted the invitation and worked there. Later
on, he
joined as a lieutenant in the Medical Research Centre in France.
At
that time, the First World War broke out and Fleming found many wounded
men
whose condition had deteriorated because of bacteria festering in their
wounds.
He felt deep sorrow for this and this sorrow feeling was the inspiring
event in
Alexander's life. He started thinking for the remedy.
Fleming
kept on researching for a medicine which could kill bacteria in human
body. The
value of this discovery had become clear to him. At last, he succeeded
in
discovering penicillin, the wonder drug. He could now save thousands of
dying
soldiers, sailors and airmen. Honor showered down on shy and sensitive
Alexander Fleming.
Alexander
was awarded the highest civilian award of the world, the Noble Prize
for
Medicine. He devoted his entire life to his research. Alexander Fleming
died in
1955 of an illness called coronary thrombosis, which his drug was
unable to
control.