![]() ![]() He discerned that it was not the mould itself but some ‘juice’ it had produced that had killed the bacteria. He found it to be effective against all Gram-positive pathogens, which are responsible for diseases such as scarlet fever, pneumonia, gonorrhoea, meningitis and diphtheria. He was able to isolate the mould and identified it as a member of the Penicillium genus. Fleming observed that the bacteria in proximity to the mould colonies were dying, as evidenced by the dissolving and clearing of the surrounding agar gel. An uncovered Petri dish sitting next to an open window became contaminated with mould spores. In 1928, Fleming began a series of experiments involving the common staphylococcal bacteria. Nevertheless, this would lay the groundwork for Fleming’s next great discovery. He was soon able to isolate larger amounts of lysozyme from egg white, but in subsequent experiments found that this enzyme was effective against only a small number of non-harmful bacteria. He also discovered lysozyme in tears, saliva, skin, hair and fingernails. Upon further investigation, Fleming discovered the presence of a substance in the mucus that inhibited bacterial growth and he named it lysozyme. However, the area where the mucus had been inoculated remained clear. In that time, numerous colonies of bacteria grew and proliferated. Not known for fastidious laboratory organisation, he placed the dish among the clutter at his desk and left it there, forgotten, for two weeks. History tells us that, while infected with a cold, Fleming transferred some of his nasopharyngeal mucus onto a Petri dish. Initially, his research was not accepted, but Fleming continued undaunted and in 1922, he discovered lysozyme, an enzyme with weak antibacterial properties. In an article he wrote during this time, Fleming discussed the presence of anaerobic bacteria in deep wounds, which proliferated despite antiseptics. The primary means to combat infection was antiseptics, which frequently did more harm than good. During this time, he observed the death of many of his fellow soldiers, not always from wounds inflicted in battle, but from the ensuing infection that could not be controlled. When World War I broke out, Fleming served in the Army Medical Corps as a captain. It was with this research group that Fleming stayed throughout his entire career. The captain introduced him to Sir Almroth Wright, a keen club member and a pioneer in immunology and vaccine research, who agreed to take Fleming under his wing. Wishing to keep Fleming in St Mary’s to join its rifle club, the club’s captain convinced him to pursue a career in research rather than in surgery, as the latter choice would require him to leave the school. While serving as a private in the London Scottish Regiment of the Territorial Army, he became a recognised marksman. Fleming did not intend to begin a career in research.
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