Eugene Lindsay Opie
Encyclopedia
Eugene Lindsay Opie, M.D. (5 July 1873 12 March 1971) was an American
physician
and pathologist who conducted important research on the causes, transmission, and diagnosis of tuberculosis
and on immunization against the disease. He served as professor of pathology at several U.S. medical schools, as well as Dean of the Washington University School of Medicine
(St. Louis, Missouri
).
on July 5, 1873. His father, Thomas, was an obstetrician-gynecologist, and one of the founders and deans of the University of Maryland
College of Medicine in Baltimore
. Eugene attended the Johns Hopkins University
(JHU), both as an undergraduate and a medical student. He received an A.B. degree in 1893, and was in the first graduating class of the JHU medical school, earning the M.D. degree in 1897. At least two other members of his class of 17 men also went on to pathology chairmanships or medical school deanships; namely, Charles Russell Bardeen and William George MacCallum.
Under the tutelage of the renowned pathologist William H. Welch
, Opie developed a special affinity for tissue pathology. As a medical student, he observed consistent morphological alterations in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans
in patients with diabetes mellitus
an observational epiphany that shed meaningful light on the pathogenesis of that disease. Eugene stayed on at JHU after completing medical school, to receive additional training in pathology from Welch. Opie continued his work on pancreatic diseases, establishing the relationship between obstruction of the ampulla of Vater (e.g., by gallstones) and the subsequent development of acute pancreatitis
.
In 1904, Opie moved to New York City to work at the Rockefeller Institute, with a focus on the enzymatic constituents of leukocytes and their role in inflammatory conditions. He concurrently served as a "visiting" pathologist at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, and was named as an editor of the Journal of Experimental Medicine and the Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology.
(WUSM) in St. Louis. He was asked to serve as Dean
of the school from 1912 to 1915, presiding over a significant expansion of its physical facilities, scientific mission, and curriculum. When the United States entered World War I
, Opie took a leave of absence from WUSM to enter the U.S. Army. He served in France as a Colonel
(O6) in the Medical Corps
, with special work on infectious diseases, and prevention thereof, among allied soldiers. Significant new data were accrued on influenza
, tuberculosis
, and "trench fever
" (bartonellosis
) during that time. Upon returning to civilian life, Opie continued his duties at WUSM until 1923.
in Philadelphia. A concomitant appointment as Professor of Pathology was also given to him. Through Opie's work over the next decade, much was learned about the modes of tuberculous infection in children and adults, as well as aspects of immunity
, hypersensitivity
, and cellular defenses regarding that disease. Opie moved to Cornell University Medical Center in New York in 1932, to continue his research. There, again as Chair of the Pathology department, he recruited several young pathologists including Robert A. Moore, D. Murray Angevine, Jules Freund, and others who would all go on to distinguish themselves as renowned investigators in their own rights. Like Opie, Moore also served as chair of pathology and dean of the medical school at Washington University in the 1940s and 1950s.
, alterations in nucleic acid
content in various disease states, and tissue fluid flux.
, Rockefeller University
, and Washington University. Other accolades included the Weber-Parks Medal, the 1959 Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko Medal
from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the 1960 Academy Medal for Distinguished Contributions in Biomedical Science from the New York Academy of Medicine
, and the T. Duckett Jones Award.
in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
on March 12, 1971. He was 97 years old.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and pathologist who conducted important research on the causes, transmission, and diagnosis of 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...
and on immunization against the disease. He served as professor of pathology at several U.S. medical schools, as well as Dean of the Washington University School of Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine , located in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the graduate schools of Washington University in St. Louis. One of the top medical schools in the United States, it is currently ranked 4th for research according to U.S. News and World Report and has been listed...
(St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
).
Education & early career
Eugene Opie was born in Staunton, VirginiaStaunton, Virginia
Staunton is an independent city within the confines of Augusta County in the commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 23,746 as of 2010. It is the county seat of Augusta County....
on July 5, 1873. His father, Thomas, was an obstetrician-gynecologist, and one of the founders and deans of the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
College of Medicine in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
. Eugene attended the Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
(JHU), both as an undergraduate and a medical student. He received an A.B. degree in 1893, and was in the first graduating class of the JHU medical school, earning the M.D. degree in 1897. At least two other members of his class of 17 men also went on to pathology chairmanships or medical school deanships; namely, Charles Russell Bardeen and William George MacCallum.
William H. Welch
William Henry Welch, M.D. was an American physician, pathologist, and medical school administrator. He was one of the "Big Four" founding professors at Johns Hopkins Hospital. William Henry Welch, M.D. (April 8, 1850 - April 30, 1934) was an American physician, pathologist, and medical school...
, Opie developed a special affinity for tissue pathology. As a medical student, he observed consistent morphological alterations in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans
Islets of Langerhans
The islets of Langerhans are the regions of the pancreas that contain its endocrine cells. Discovered in 1869 by German pathological anatomist Paul Langerhans at the age of 22, the islets of Langerhans constitute approximately 1 to 2% of the mass of the pancreas...
in patients with diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus, often simply referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced...
an observational epiphany that shed meaningful light on the pathogenesis of that disease. Eugene stayed on at JHU after completing medical school, to receive additional training in pathology from Welch. Opie continued his work on pancreatic diseases, establishing the relationship between obstruction of the ampulla of Vater (e.g., by gallstones) and the subsequent development of acute pancreatitis
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It occurs when pancreatic enzymes that digest food are activated in the pancreas instead of the small intestine. It may be acute – beginning suddenly and lasting a few days, or chronic – occurring over many years...
.
In 1904, Opie moved to New York City to work at the Rockefeller Institute, with a focus on the enzymatic constituents of leukocytes and their role in inflammatory conditions. He concurrently served as a "visiting" pathologist at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, and was named as an editor of the Journal of Experimental Medicine and the Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology.
Years at Washington University
In 1910, Opie was appointed as the Chair of Pathology at Washington University School of MedicineWashington University School of Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine , located in St. Louis, Missouri, is one of the graduate schools of Washington University in St. Louis. One of the top medical schools in the United States, it is currently ranked 4th for research according to U.S. News and World Report and has been listed...
(WUSM) in St. Louis. He was asked to serve as Dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of the school from 1912 to 1915, presiding over a significant expansion of its physical facilities, scientific mission, and curriculum. When the United States entered World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Opie took a leave of absence from WUSM to enter the U.S. Army. He served in France as a Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
(O6) in the Medical Corps
Medical Corps (United States Army)
The Medical Corps of the U.S. Army is a staff corps of the U.S. Army Medical Department consisting of commissioned medical officers – physicians with either an MD or a DO degree, at least one year of post-graduate clinical training, and a state medical license.The MC traces its earliest origins...
, with special work on infectious diseases, and prevention thereof, among allied soldiers. Significant new data were accrued on influenza
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
, 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...
, and "trench fever
Trench fever
Trench fever is a moderately serious disease transmitted by body lice. It infected armies in Flanders, France, Poland, Galicia, Italy, Salonika, Macedonia, Mesopotamia, and Egypt in World War I Trench fever (also known as "Five day fever", "Quintan fever" (febris Quintana in Latin), "Urban trench...
" (bartonellosis
Bartonellosis
Bartonellosis is an infectious disease produced by bacteria of the genus Bartonella. Bartonella species cause diseases such as Carrión´s disease, trench fever, and cat scratch disease, and other recognized diseases, such as bacillary angiomatosis, peliosis hepatis, chronic bacteremia, endocarditis,...
) during that time. Upon returning to civilian life, Opie continued his duties at WUSM until 1923.
Research on tuberculosis
Opie narrowed his general interest in infectious disease to focus on tuberculosis, an international scourge in the early part of the 20th century. In 1923 he became the Director of the Phipps Institute for the Study & Treatment of Tuberculosis at the University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
in Philadelphia. A concomitant appointment as Professor of Pathology was also given to him. Through Opie's work over the next decade, much was learned about the modes of tuberculous infection in children and adults, as well as aspects of immunity
Immunity (medical)
Immunity is a biological term that describes a state of having sufficient biological defenses to avoid infection, disease, or other unwanted biological invasion. Immunity involves both specific and non-specific components. The non-specific components act either as barriers or as eliminators of wide...
, hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity refers to undesirable reactions produced by the normal immune system, including allergies and autoimmunity. These reactions may be damaging, uncomfortable, or occasionally fatal. Hypersensitivity reactions require a pre-sensitized state of the host. The four-group classification...
, and cellular defenses regarding that disease. Opie moved to Cornell University Medical Center in New York in 1932, to continue his research. There, again as Chair of the Pathology department, he recruited several young pathologists including Robert A. Moore, D. Murray Angevine, Jules Freund, and others who would all go on to distinguish themselves as renowned investigators in their own rights. Like Opie, Moore also served as chair of pathology and dean of the medical school at Washington University in the 1940s and 1950s.
Retirement
Eugene Opie retired from full-time professional work in pathology in 1941. Nevertheless, that was certainly not the end of his scientific endeavors. Opie again worked at the Rockefeller Institute as a "guest investigator" for the next 28 years. Peer-reviewed manuscripts bore his name as an author until 1970. In addition to infections, Opie did work on hepatic carcinogenesisCarcinogenesis
Carcinogenesis or oncogenesis is literally the creation of cancer. It is a process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells...
, alterations in nucleic acid
Nucleic acid
Nucleic acids are biological molecules essential for life, and include DNA and RNA . Together with proteins, nucleic acids make up the most important macromolecules; each is found in abundance in all living things, where they function in encoding, transmitting and expressing genetic information...
content in various disease states, and tissue fluid flux.
Honors
Eugene Opie served as the President of the American Association of Pathologists & Bacteriologists; the American Society for Experimental Pathology, the National Tuberculosis Association; the American Association of Immunologists; and the Harvey Society. He was awarded honorary doctorates from Yale UniversityYale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, Rockefeller University
Rockefeller University
The Rockefeller University is a private university offering postgraduate and postdoctoral education. It has a strong concentration in the biological sciences. It is also known for producing numerous Nobel laureates...
, and Washington University. Other accolades included the Weber-Parks Medal, the 1959 Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko Medal
Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko Medal
The Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko Medal is awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences "for important contributions to the medical sciences." It was first awarded in 1952.- List of Jessie Stevenson Kovalenko Medal winners :*2010: Janet D. Rowley...
from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the 1960 Academy Medal for Distinguished Contributions in Biomedical Science from the New York Academy of Medicine
New York Academy of Medicine
The New York Academy of Medicine was founded in 1847 by a group of leading New York City metropolitan area physicians as a voice for the medical profession in medical practice and public health reform...
, and the T. Duckett Jones Award.
Family
Opie first married Gertrude Lovat Simpson on August 6, 1902, and had four children with her: Thomas Lindsay, Anne Lovat, Helen Lovat and Gertrude Eugenie. Seven years after Gertrude's death in 1909, he married her sister Margaret Lovat Simpson on September 16, 1916.Death
Opie died at Bryn Mawr HospitalBryn Mawr Hospital
Bryn Mawr Hospital is a Pennsylvania hospital near Philadelphia that is part of Main Line Health, a community-based not-for-profit health system, comprising Lankenau Hospital, Paoli Hospital, and Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital. It is located on 130 South Bryn Mawr Avenue in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania....
in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr from Welsh for "big hill") is a census-designated place in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, just west of Philadelphia along Lancaster Avenue and the border with Delaware County...
on March 12, 1971. He was 97 years old.
See also
- TuberculosisTuberculosisTuberculosis, 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...