William Hammon
Encyclopedia
William McDowall Hammon was an American physician and researcher, best known for his work on poliomyelitis
. In his early twenties and prior to becoming a research physician, Hammon worked for four years as a medical missionary
in the former Belgian Congo
. After returning, he received his undergraduate degree from Allegheny College
in 1932. Completing his medical training at Harvard Medical School
in 1936, Hammon then studied with the bacteriologist Hans Zinsser
, receiving a Master of Public Health
degree in 1938, and a Doctor of Philosophy
degree in 1939. During this period Hammon co-discovered the first vaccine
for feline panleucopenia.
Hammon was presented with the Medal of Freedom in 1946 by President Harry Truman.
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is an acute viral infectious disease spread from person to person, primarily via the fecal-oral route...
. In his early twenties and prior to becoming a research physician, Hammon worked for four years as a medical missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
in the former Belgian Congo
Belgian Congo
The Belgian Congo was the formal title of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo between King Leopold II's formal relinquishment of his personal control over the state to Belgium on 15 November 1908, and Congolese independence on 30 June 1960.-Congo Free State, 1884–1908:Until the latter...
. After returning, he received his undergraduate degree from Allegheny College
Allegheny College
Allegheny College is a private liberal arts college located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the town of Meadville. Founded in 1815, the college has about 2,100 undergraduate students.-Early history:...
in 1932. Completing his medical training at Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
in 1936, Hammon then studied with the bacteriologist Hans Zinsser
Hans Zinsser
Hans Zinsser was an American bacteriologist and a prolific author. The son of German immigrants, Zinsser was born in New York City in 1878. Zinsser received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University in 1899 and completed both a masters degree and a doctorate in medicine there in 1903...
, receiving a Master of Public Health
Master of Public Health
The Master of Public Health and the Doctor of Public Health are multi-disciplinary professional degrees awarded for studies in areas related to public health....
degree in 1938, and a Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degree in 1939. During this period Hammon co-discovered the first vaccine
Vaccine
A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe or its toxins...
for feline panleucopenia.
Hammon was presented with the Medal of Freedom in 1946 by President Harry Truman.