24th May, 2023 12:00
Fine Instruments of Science, Medicine and Books
Fleming, Alexander, His First Paper on Lysozyme and other
including:
bound copy of the 'Proceedings of the Royal Society Series B vol. 93, 1922', article titled 'On a Remarkable Bacteriolytic Element Found in Tissues and Secretions', 8vo. [p.306-p.317], with 1 plate, red fabric spine gilt lettering, tan marbled boards.
bound copy of the 'Proceedings of the Royal Society Series B, September 1924', article titled 'A Comparison of the Activities of Antiseptics on Bacteria and on Leucocytes' by Alexander Fleming, F.R.C.S [p.170-p.180] red fabric spine gilt lettering, purple marbled boards.
In 1922, Alexander Fleming published his landmark paper in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, B, titled "On a Remarkable Bacteriolytic Element Found in Tissues and Secretions." This paper described his discovery of an enzyme that would later become known as lysozyme, and its potent bactericidal properties.
Fleming's discovery of lysozyme was the result of his longstanding interest in the immune system and the body's defense against bacterial infections. At the time, it was commonly believed that the immune system relied solely on phagocytic cells to engulf and destroy invading bacteria. However, Fleming noticed that certain tissues and secretions had antibacterial properties that could not be explained by phagocytosis alone.
To investigate this further, Fleming used a novel experimental approach. He first collected a variety of bodily secretions, including tears, saliva, mucus, and blood. He then mixed these secretions with a bacterial culture and observed their effects on bacterial growth. To his surprise, he found that some of these secretions had a potent bactericidal effect.
Fleming's next step was to identify the active agent in these secretions. Using a variety of chemical and physical techniques, he was able to isolate a protein that he called lysozyme. He found that this protein had a unique ability to break down the cell walls of certain bacteria, causing them to burst and die.
The discovery of lysozyme was a major breakthrough in the field of microbiology. It demonstrated that the body's immune system had a variety of mechanisms for fighting bacterial infections, beyond the well-known phagocytic cells. Moreover, lysozyme was one of the first enzymes to be discovered, and its antibacterial properties were a testament to the power of these biological catalysts.
In his paper, Fleming also speculated on the potential therapeutic applications of lysozyme. He noted that the enzyme could be used to disinfect wounds, and even speculated that it could be used to treat bacterial infections in the body. While these ideas were ahead of their time, they presaged the eventual development of antibacterial therapies based on enzymes and other biological molecules.
Overall, Alexander Fleming's paper "On a Remarkable Bacteriolytic Element Found in Tissues and Secretions" was a major milestone in the history of microbiology. It demonstrated the existence of a previously unknown antibacterial agent, lysozyme, and opened up new avenues for research into the body's immune system and the potential therapeutic applications of biological molecules.
Sold for £438
Result plus buyers premium
including:
bound copy of the 'Proceedings of the Royal Society Series B vol. 93, 1922', article titled 'On a Remarkable Bacteriolytic Element Found in Tissues and Secretions', 8vo. [p.306-p.317], with 1 plate, red fabric spine gilt lettering, tan marbled boards.
bound copy of the 'Proceedings of the Royal Society Series B, September 1924', article titled 'A Comparison of the Activities of Antiseptics on Bacteria and on Leucocytes' by Alexander Fleming, F.R.C.S [p.170-p.180] red fabric spine gilt lettering, purple marbled boards.
In 1922, Alexander Fleming published his landmark paper in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, B, titled "On a Remarkable Bacteriolytic Element Found in Tissues and Secretions." This paper described his discovery of an enzyme that would later become known as lysozyme, and its potent bactericidal properties.
Fleming's discovery of lysozyme was the result of his longstanding interest in the immune system and the body's defense against bacterial infections. At the time, it was commonly believed that the immune system relied solely on phagocytic cells to engulf and destroy invading bacteria. However, Fleming noticed that certain tissues and secretions had antibacterial properties that could not be explained by phagocytosis alone.
To investigate this further, Fleming used a novel experimental approach. He first collected a variety of bodily secretions, including tears, saliva, mucus, and blood. He then mixed these secretions with a bacterial culture and observed their effects on bacterial growth. To his surprise, he found that some of these secretions had a potent bactericidal effect.
Fleming's next step was to identify the active agent in these secretions. Using a variety of chemical and physical techniques, he was able to isolate a protein that he called lysozyme. He found that this protein had a unique ability to break down the cell walls of certain bacteria, causing them to burst and die.
The discovery of lysozyme was a major breakthrough in the field of microbiology. It demonstrated that the body's immune system had a variety of mechanisms for fighting bacterial infections, beyond the well-known phagocytic cells. Moreover, lysozyme was one of the first enzymes to be discovered, and its antibacterial properties were a testament to the power of these biological catalysts.
In his paper, Fleming also speculated on the potential therapeutic applications of lysozyme. He noted that the enzyme could be used to disinfect wounds, and even speculated that it could be used to treat bacterial infections in the body. While these ideas were ahead of their time, they presaged the eventual development of antibacterial therapies based on enzymes and other biological molecules.
Overall, Alexander Fleming's paper "On a Remarkable Bacteriolytic Element Found in Tissues and Secretions" was a major milestone in the history of microbiology. It demonstrated the existence of a previously unknown antibacterial agent, lysozyme, and opened up new avenues for research into the body's immune system and the potential therapeutic applications of biological molecules.
