Bailey Ashford | |
|---|---|
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| Born | (1873-09-18)September 18, 1873 Washington, D.C., United States |
| Died | November 1, 1934(1934-11-01) (aged 61) |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1897–1928 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Unit | United States Army Medical Corps |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal |
| Other work | Ashford was a founding member of the Puerto Rico Anemia Commission, and initiated the School of Tropical Medicine |
ColonelBailey Kelly Ashford (September 18, 1873 – November 1, 1934)[1] was an American physician who had a military career in the United States Army, and afterward taught full-time at theSchool of Tropical Medicine in Puerto Rico, which he helped establish in San Juan.
A pioneering physician in the treatment of anemia, Ashford organized and conducted a parasite treatment campaign againsthookworm while stationed in Puerto Rico. This cured approximately 300,000 persons (one-third of the Puerto Rico population) and reduced the death rate from associatedanemia by 90 percent. He was a founding member of the Puerto Rico Anemia Commission.
Ashford was born inWashington, D.C., on September 18, 1873,[2][3] as one of five children in the family of Francis Ashford, a prominent physician, and his wife. His general education was obtained at the public schools and at Columbian University in Washington, D.C. (nowGeorge Washington University). In 1896, he graduated from theGeorgetown University School of Medicine. He served as a resident physician in several area hospitals.[4][5]
Commissioned lieutenant in theUnited States Army Medical Corps in November 1897,[2] Ashford accompanied the military expedition toPuerto Rico in 1898 during theSpanish–American War.[6]
Ashford made Puerto Rico his adopted home, marrying a local woman, María López Nussa.[7] They had three children: Mahlon, Margarita, and Gloria María.[8]
Serving as the medical officer in thegeneral military hospital inPonce, Puerto Rico, in 1899 he was the first to describe and successfully treatNorth Americanhookworm. He was a tireless clinician and conducted an exhaustive study of theanemia caused by hookworm infestation, which was the leading cause of death and responsible for as many as 12,000 deaths a year. From 1903 to 1904, together with his colleague Pedro Gutiérrez Igaravídez, he organized and conducted a parasite treatment and education campaign, which treated approximately 300,000 persons (one-third of the Puerto Rico population). This work reduced the death rate from this anemia by 90 percent. Through Ashford's professor,Charles Wardell Stiles, his work also led to the creation of a seminal campaign to fight hookworm in theAmerican South that was funded byJohn D. Rockefeller.[4][8]
Captain Ashford was a founding member of the Puerto Rico Anemia Commission. By special authority of the Secretary of War, he served on the Commission from 1904 to 1906.[6]
In 1911, his proposal for an Institute of Tropical Medicine (Later renamed School of Tropical Medicine) in Puerto Rico was approved byAntonio R. Barceló, the president of the Puerto Rican Senate. He pushed for passage of the legislation to authorize the school, and GovernorHorace Mann Towner and his cabinet proceeded to create it.[9] After serving as a commander of the Army Medical Department's First Division duringWorld War I, Colonel Ashford was assigned toSan Juan. He campaigned for the development of "a real school of tropical medicine in the American tropics".
Ashford was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1916 and colonel in May 1917.[2] DuringWorld War I, he left Puerto Rico to serve as director of the U.S. Army Sanitary School inLangres, France.[10][11]
TheSchool of Tropical Medicine of Puerto Rico was formally dedicated in 1925.[12]
Ashford retired from active duty on February 10, 1928.[2] After a 30-yearArmy career as a military doctor, he assumed a full-time faculty position at the School, where he continued his interest in tropical medicine. Together with doctorsIsaac González Martínez andRamón M. Suárez Calderon, he continued to carry out experiments related to anemia. TheUniversity of Puerto Rico campus at Rio Piedras, the building of the Institute of Tropical Medicine (see drawings[13]) inPuerta de Tierra, San Juan, is one of the few examples of theNeo-Plateresque architectural style in the Island.
In his honor, the main avenue in theSan Juan, Puerto Rico district ofCondado, bears his name as does the Ashford Presbyterian Community Hospital as well as the Ashford Medical Center, also inCondado. Built in 1912 on Ashford Avenue, his home is preserved as a museum known as theCasa de Cultura Dr. Bailey K. Ashford (Dr. Bailey K. Ashford Culture House).[14][4]
In 1911, Ashford was conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Science by Georgetown University.[2] In 1915, he was nominated for theNobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine by Georgetown University professors George M. Kober and Francis A. Tondorf.[15] In 1925, Ashford was awarded theDistinguished Service Medal for his World War I service.[10]
In 1941, The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene established the "Bailey K. Ashford Medal". This is awarded for distinguished work in tropical medicine to a worker in his or her early or mid-career. The first person to receive the award was Lloyd E. Rozeboom. The medal is awarded every year, and more than one award may be given.[16]
Ashford died on November 1, 1934, in his home in San Juan. Originally buried at theFort Brooke Military Cemetery, his remains were re-interred atPuerto Rico National Cemetery in the city ofBayamón on April 20, 1954.[4][17][18]
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