A 200 AÑOS DEL NACIMIENTO DE LOUIS DANIEL BEAUPERTHUY SE CONMEMORA SU VIDA Y SU APORTE A LA CIENCIA

Abstract

RESUMEN: Considerado pionero de la microbiología en Venezuela, Louis Daniel Beauperthuy (1807-1871), fue precursor de la microscopía, entomología, trabajos de campo, académicos, clínicos y científi co. Observó, registró y postuló sobre el papel de los insectos en la transmisión de enfermedades como malaria y fi ebre amarilla. Contribuyó, con su aporte, a formar las bases teóricas sobre el origen microbiano de las enfermedades, tesis posteriormente aceptada después de su muerte, con la demostración experimental e identifi cación de los agentes etiológicos de las enfermedades infecciosas. ABSTRACT: Louis Daniel Beauperthuy (1807 – 1871), is regarded as a pioneer in microbiology, microscopy and entomology in Venezuela, where he carried out clinical and scientifi c research as well as academic activities and fi eld works in those areas of knowledge. He observed, recorded and postulated the role of insects in spreading diseases such as malaria and the yellow fever, thus contributing to set up the theoretical foundations of the thesis which stated the microbial origin of diseases. This proposal was subsequently accepted after his death, once it was experimentally demonstrated and that the etiological agents causing infectious diseases were identified.