INSULIN is estimated to have saved the lives of over 5 million diabetics. It was discovered by Frederick Banting and his colleagues in Toronto in 1922, through experiments on dogs and rabbits. Cardiac surgery is only possible because of the heart-lung machine, which bypasses the blood circulation to the heart and allows it to be stopped. This apparatus was developed by John Gibbon in a series of experiments on dogs, conducted between 1937 and the first human open-heart operation in 1955. And although Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, he thought it was merely an antiseptic. It was not until…
To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles


