Georges Girard
Encyclopedia
Georges Girard was a French bacteriologist who was born in Isigny-sur-Mer
. In 1911 he received his Bachelor's degree, and in 1914 his medical doctorate. From 1917 until 1940 Girard was associated with his work in Madagascar at the Pasteur Institute
in Tananarive, and at the laboratory of bacteriology
at the Hospital of Diego-Suarez.
During his tenure in Madagascar, Girard conducted studies of typhoid, tuberculosis
, leprosy
and particularly bubonic plague
. Since 1898 there had been sporadic outbreaks of the plague in the country, and none of the previously developed vaccines were strong or durable enough to handle the disease. In the early 1930s, Girard and his assistant Jean-Marie Robic developed an anti-plague vaccine known as the EV strain. The EV strain had excellent results against the plague, and inoculation was carried out by Colonial Army medical officers and auxiliary Malagasy
physicians. For decades afterwards this strain has been used worldwide to combat bubonic plague.
In 1940 Girard returned to the Pasteur Institute in Paris
and performed research of pasteurellosis
, tularaemia and the bacillus
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
.
Isigny-sur-Mer
Isigny-sur-Mer is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.-Geography:Positioned at the bottom of the baie des Veys, Isigny is an important milk production area, known for its AOC butter and cream, as well as its cheeses made by the Isigny Sainte...
. In 1911 he received his Bachelor's degree, and in 1914 his medical doctorate. From 1917 until 1940 Girard was associated with his work in Madagascar at the Pasteur Institute
Pasteur Institute
The Pasteur Institute is a French non-profit private foundation dedicated to the study of biology, micro-organisms, diseases, and vaccines. It is named after Louis Pasteur, who made some of the greatest breakthroughs in modern medicine at the time, including pasteurization and vaccines for anthrax...
in Tananarive, and at the laboratory of bacteriology
Bacteriology
Bacteriology is the study of bacteria. This subdivision of microbiology involves the identification, classification, and characterization of bacterial species...
at the Hospital of Diego-Suarez.
During his tenure in Madagascar, Girard conducted studies of typhoid, tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
, leprosy
Leprosy
Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Named after physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen, leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract; skin lesions...
and particularly bubonic plague
Bubonic plague
Plague is a deadly infectious disease that is caused by the enterobacteria Yersinia pestis, named after the French-Swiss bacteriologist Alexandre Yersin. Primarily carried by rodents and spread to humans via fleas, the disease is notorious throughout history, due to the unrivaled scale of death...
. Since 1898 there had been sporadic outbreaks of the plague in the country, and none of the previously developed vaccines were strong or durable enough to handle the disease. In the early 1930s, Girard and his assistant Jean-Marie Robic developed an anti-plague vaccine known as the EV strain. The EV strain had excellent results against the plague, and inoculation was carried out by Colonial Army medical officers and auxiliary Malagasy
Malagasy people
The Malagasy ethnic group forms nearly the entire population of Madagascar. They are divided into two subgroups: the "Highlander" Merina, Sihanaka and Betsileo of the central plateau around Antananarivo, Alaotra and Fianarantsoa, and the côtiers elsewhere in the country. This division has its...
physicians. For decades afterwards this strain has been used worldwide to combat bubonic plague.
In 1940 Girard returned to the Pasteur Institute in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and performed research of pasteurellosis
Pasteurellosis
Pasteurellosis is an infection with a species of the bacteria genus Pasteurella, which is found in humans and animals.Pasteurella multocida is carried in mouth and respiratory tract of several animals, notably cats. It is a small Gram negative bacillus with bipolar staining by Wayson stain...
, tularaemia and the bacillus
Bacillus
Bacillus is a genus of Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria and a member of the division Firmicutes. Bacillus species can be obligate aerobes or facultative anaerobes, and test positive for the enzyme catalase. Ubiquitous in nature, Bacillus includes both free-living and pathogenic species...
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes Pseudotuberculosis disease in animals; humans occasionally get infected zoonotically, most often through the food-borne route.-Pathogenesis:In animals, Y...
.