Alexander Fleming
Maddy Leis
Background
August 6, 1881 Alexander Fleming was born into a farming family in East Ayrshire, Scotland. Fleming moved to London in 1895. While in London, Alexander finished his basic education at Regent Street Polytecnic. He eventually entered the medical field in 1901 as he studied at a University and served in the territorial army. Through out the rest of his life, he was a crucial part of the medical innovation and discovery for the world.
Why do we care?
Many of us would not be here today if it wasn't for Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin. A bacterial infection once was an almost always fatal disease. Now, antibiotics like penicillin can cure these diseases without a problem. Since this discovery, it has saved so many lives that it was often called the miracle drug. If you have ever had a bacterial infection, or your parents, or grandparents and received an antibiotic, remember that a lot of people were not as lucky as you.
Importance & Lasting Impact
Penicillin and other antibiotics are still used daily in the present by people all over the world. Alexander Fleming changed medicine with this discovery. When WWII began, the research of penicillin was just starting to show results. This would save many soldiers from infection in their wounds during this time. In previous wars, soldiers were always dying from infections. Today, soldiers are still being saved in this way along with several other people, every day.
Works Cited
"Penicillin: The First Miracle Drug." Penicillin: The First Miracle Drug. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2016."Alexander Fleming." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.