Dr. Alexander Marmorek
DR. ALEXANDER MARMOREK was born in Austria in 1865. He prepared all his academic and medical courses in Vienna. He graduated in medicine in 1890 and immediately became assistant to Professor Chrobak, one of the most prominent surgeons of Vienna. While still an assistant Dr. Marmorek distinguished himself by his work in connection with childbed fever. He wrote at that time an excellent book entitled, “A Theory on Septic Diseases.” From Vienna, in 1894, Dr. Marmorek went to Paris, and at once received an appointment at the Pasteur Institute—one of the greatest scientific institutions, where he has been ever since in the capacity of “chef de laboratoire.”
In 1895 Dr. Marmorek published his discovery of a serum which is used in the treatment of childbed fever and which has been accepted and lauded by the best medical authorities.
The serum is scientifically called the anti-streptococcic serum. It is employed in the same manner as antitoxin in diphtheria.. Dr. Marmorek's serum has undoubtedly saved thousands of lives and his name will always shine in the history of medical science.
A very interesting episode occurred during the “l'Affaire Dreyfus” in connection with Dr. Marmorek and his serum. It was when the contention about the “l'Affaire” had almost reached its zenith. It happened that a daughter of a certain Marquis was taken seriously ill and was gradually sinking in spite of the heroic efforts of the best medical talent of Paris. The sickness was due to a germ for which Dr. Marmorek's serum was almost a sure cure, and one of the friends of that celebrated family who knew of Dr. Marmorek and his serum, suggested that he be consulted; but the Marquis was a rabid anti-Dreyfusard and so was the physician in charge of the patient, and they could not bear the idea of a Jew being called in to treat the daughter of the Marquis. But the mother considered the life of her daughter above racial or political prejudices, and she and some friends prevailed on the father to consult Dr. Marmorek. The family physician was sent for but could not be found — and time was as dear as life — so they sent directly to the Pasteur Institute for Dr. Marmorek.
After the situation was made plain to him, Dr. Marmorek told them it was against profes-