Pierre-Victor Galtier

Pierre-Victor or Pierre Victor Galtier ((1846-10-15)October 15, 1846 in Langogne, Lozère – April 24, 1908(1908-04-24) in La Mulatière near Lyon) was a veterinarian and professor of pathology of infectious diseases, animal health and commercial and medical legislation at the Veterinary School of Lyon for thirty years. He was the first to develop a rabies vaccine for laboratory animals with convincing experimental results, before Louis Pasteur learned of his work.

Early life and studies

Galtier was born in 1846 Langogne to parents of low birth. In 1853, he was entrusted to the nuns who ran the local school. He escaped from this school twice, and was then placed with his grandmother in the town of Langogne. From that moment on, with the encouragement of teachers who instilled the importance of schoolwork into him, his attitude towards school changed.

He attended secondary school in Langone and then in Mende, Lozère, leaving after the tenth grade.

He read Graeco-Roman studies at La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin in the "Petit Séminaire", the famous ecclesiastical secondary school of Bishop Felix Dupanloup, an outpost of the Seminar d'Orléans. He received his bachelor's degree with honours.

He studied for his Masters degree and his veterinary license at Marvejols college. Around this time Lozère created a scholarship to help poor students to study to become veterinarians, which Galtier received and used to study at the École Vétérinaire de Lyon. He came top of the class for four consecutive years, and graduated in 1873 as a valedictorian, receiving the "Bourgelat Grand Prize".

Galtier began his professional career as associate of Monsieur Delorme, a veterinarian in Arles, whose daughter he married. He began teaching veterinary pathology and eventually became the Chair of Infectious Diseases. Aged 33, he began his work on rabies.

In 1876, he was appoined the Chair of Pathology and Internal Medicine in the veterinary science department at Lyon. In 1877, his department began to carry out studies on microbial pathology and microbiology. This led to the school supporting the idea of contagious diseases such as tuberculosis, the common cold, and rabies, as opposed to the Alfort School which supported the idea of spontaneous generation.

In 1878 he was appointed professor of pathology of infectious diseases, animal health, trade and medical law. In the same year, Mr. Bouley, Inspector General of veterinary schools, creates a new department that would separate the teaching of general pathology from that of communicable diseases. Pierre Victor Galtier was appointed to department chair and held the position for 30 years.

In 1879, he made important discoveries about two deadly diseases: common cold and rabies. In 1883, he obtained a law degree.

Galtier was nominated for the Nobel Prize for his work on rabies. But he died in 1908, just before the prizewinner was chosen, so it was awarded instead to Paul Ehrlich and Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov.

• 1881: Member of the Anthropological Society of Lyon
• 1887: Member of the National Agricultural Society, natural history and useful Arts de Lyo
• 1888: Officer Academy
• 1891: Knight Legion of Honor
• 1895: Officer of the Order of Agricultural Merit
• Correspondent of the Academy of Medicine
• 1898: Correspondent of the National Society of Agriculture
• 1898: Associate of the National Central Society of Veterinary Medicine Associate
• 1901: Elected Associate of the National Academy of Medicine, by 56 votes out of 59
• 1903: Appointed Commander of Agricultural Merit
• 1903–08: Member of the Veterinary Academy of France
• 1903: Member of the Rhône hygiene County Council
• 1906: Appointed officer of Education
  • Member of the Rhone vaccines commission
  • Four gold medals with the effigy of Olivier de Serres (works on rabies, pneumo-enteritis in sheep and horse and tuberculosis) Agricultural Society of France
• 1887: Bréant Prize (for his work on rabies)
• 1887: Barbier Prize (for his work on rabies). Academy of Medicine, contests
• 1890: Behague Prize of the National Society of Agriculture of France for his work on the pneumo-enteritis in sheep (June 25 )
• 1891: Barbier Prize (for his work on the pneumo-enteritis cheeses)
• 1892: Stanski Prize (for the second edition of contagious diseases

• Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences, 1887, Vol 105, session of December 26, 1887

Pierre Galtier was distinguished for his work on rabies. He was the first to develop a vaccine for rabies. He also made important advances in the study of the common cold and on the infectiousness of viruses.

Galtier assumes that, because of the incubation period of rabies, the development of a vaccine could be used as curative for a disease like this.

1879

His first publication on rabies is a thesis entitled "Studies on rabies" published in two veterinary journals  · ·and whose findings are published in the Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences.

On April 25, 1879, the Academy of Sciences published his notes on rabies.

The article made clear his conclusions about rabies:

"1. The dog rabies is transmitted to the rabbit, which thus becomes a convenient and safe reagent to determine the status of non-virulence or virulence of various liquids from rabid animals (...)

2. Rabies is transmitted to animals (rabbits) of his kind (...)

3. Symptoms that predominate in the rabid rabbits are paralysis and convulsions.

4. The rabbit can live from several hours to one, two and even four days after the disease has clearly declared.

5. (...) the incubation periodis shorter in him than in other species. (Based on an experience table published in the note, Galtier accurately and correctly calculates an average incubation time for the rabbit 18 days).

6. Salicylic acid, administered by hypodermic injection, the daily dose of 0.0068 gr for fourteen consecutive days from the fiftieth hour after inoculation, did not prevent the development of rabies the rabbit.

7. The saliva of rabid dog, collected on the living animal and stored in the water is still virulent five, fourteen twenty-four hours. (...) "

Galtier also has a brilliant idea: he began experiments to find an agent capable of neutralizing rabies virus. He thinks that the discovery of an effective preventive means almost equivalent to the discovery of a cure, especially if his action was really effective, a day or two after the bite after virus inoculation. It is this 'genius idea which is the basis of preventive treatment for rabies by vaccination'.

1880

In 1880, Galtier publishes a "Treaty of contagious diseases" which contains a chapter on rabies.

It is in this book that he wrote this sentence summarizing his first observations on immunity to rabies: "Rabies virus injected directly into the blood stream is ineffective, at least this is what I found in several experiences where I had injected into the jugular vein of the sheep a large amount of rabid drool ". His remarkable experiences will be published in several articles the following year.

Also in 1880, Louis Pasteur became interested to rabies, as evidenced by one of his communications. It takes note of the work of Galtier, he regards with a certain disdain, thinking that these experiences "not possible to bring, let alone identify the disease [...]".

This attitude of Louis Pasteur is common: it denigrates precursors to take over their work and then take credit for ... (see Toussaint Henry, Antoine Béchamp)

1881

In August 1881, Galtier sends a note to the Academy of Sciences. He shall note his experiences intravenous inoculation of the rabies virus in the bloodstream.

He writes that:

"The findings that emerge from these facts are the following:

1. Injections of rabies virus in the veins of the sheep do not show rage and seem to confer immunity.

2 °. Rabies can be transmitted by injection of the rabies matter "

So he found a way to provide immunity against rabies on the sheep.

He also published in the bulletin of the Academy of Medicineand writes inter alia that:. "I injected seven times the rabies saliva into the jugular sheep and never seen rage, one of my test subjects was successively inoculated with drooling a mad dog, after four months that this inoculation was made, the animal is alive and well; he seems to have acquired immunity. I inoculated a fortnight by putting eight cubic centimeters of saliva rabies in the peritoneum; it always goes very well; I would do next him another inoculation. "

For the science historian Jean Théodoridès, this is the first time in the history of medicine that can emit the idea of immunization against rabies with convincing experimental results to the key.

1882

This year Galtier remark that "intravenous inoculation is ineffective. [But] immunity follows, in sheep, this inoculation "and notes the absence of virus in the nerve centers.

This last point drew the attention of Louis Pasteur who sees a lack of sensitivity due to the subcutaneous inoculation technique. He developed with his student Emile Roux, intracranial inoculation dog trepanation. Thus it happens to isolate the virus in the nerve centers and urge the notion of neuroprobasie (neurons are the cells of the body most sensitive to rabies virus). As a result, the virus will develop there preferably, causing a spread of the virus through nerve pathways of the peripheral inoculation point to the brain).

1883

In 1883, Emile Roux published his medical doctorate thesis on "New acquisitions on rabies." According to Jean Théodoridès, which strikes at first in this paper written by Roux with care and method is the frequent mention of the work of Galtier cities from coast to coast. While Louis Pasteur refers only very incidentally Galtier.

1886

He published in 1886 an important book on rabies, "The proposed rabies in animals and humans in view of its characters and its prophylaxis."

There exposes:

– The symptoms of diseases
–
Curability – Aetiology where it shows, once and for all, the lack of rabies "spontaneous" and concludes that "Contagion is the only cause that can reveal rabies in animals of any kind."
– Transferability of rabies in different animals
– Experimental modes of transmission of rabies by bites

It recalls its 1879–1881 research and reports that he has continued until 1886 (date of publication of this book).

The book also deals with health measures and forensics, dog control measures (wearing the collar, a muzzle, leash).

1887

In 1887, he received the Barber Award for his work on rabies.

In its report on the Barber Award to Pierre Galtier by the Academy of Medicine, Edmond Nocard wrote: "The discovery of Mr. Galtier therefore has a high importance not only from the scientific point of view, but also in practical point of view; it is hoped that it will soon lead to the establishment of a simple, convenient and efficient, allowing to save as many animals bitten. ".

The same year, he received the Bréant Price of the Academy of Sciences (December 1887) for his book on rabies. Bouchard, on behalf of the Commission consisting of Marey, Charcot, Brown- Séquard and Verneuil emphasized the importance of the work of several years preceding those of Louis Pasteur.

1888

On January 30, 1888, Pierre Galtier published an article in the Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences. He insists that "the rabies virus retains its activity in buried corpses, so that when doubts arise afterwards about the nature of the disease that has determined the death, exhumation and inoculation of the bulb are naturally indicated ".

For Galtier (recall that Professor veterinary, medical law and contagious diseases), the consequence of the persistence of the rabies virus is "And in prophylaxis issues to establish when, in forensic issues and in proceedings brought by the owners responsibility, there will be doubts about the nature of the disease, it will be appropriate to request the exhumation of a body not only to the autopsy, which often has been already practiced, but mostly to proceed with the inoculation of the bulb ".

On April 16, 1888 he again sends a note. He recalled his experiences in 1880–1881 showing that injection of the rabies virus in the veins of sheep and goats did not give them the disease but confers immunity againstrabiesHe also noted that research done in 1884 by Edmond Nocard and.. Emile Roux confirmed the validity of deductions. These authors note the intravenous injection method can prevent rabies after inoculation in the eye and rabies after animal bite.

In his article, Galtier also relates his experiments on sheep and sheep.

1891

In 1891 appears the second edition of his "Treaty of contagious diseases." Galtier It says that is deeply disappointed, even ulcerated negative remarks of Louis Pasteur about his research. This, supposedly, are not found in dogs acquired immunity in sheep and goats following intravenous injection of rabies. While Edmond Nocard and Emile Roux confirmed in 1888 (see above) by their own experiences in 1884 Galtier that the experiments had made 1881.

1904

At that time Galtier has lost four of his eight children and his wife, and is strongly discouraged.

However, published in 1904, an article he titled "Pages of history" and in which he wrote: "... I had studied the first, from 1879-80-81, the effects of intravenous injection of rabies virus. I was the first demonstrated in the most peremptory manner, its safety in herbivorous animals and immunizing action. I established the first, before there was any question of vaccination by Pastor process or other, that immunity against the deadly rage could be granted to certain animals by a particular method of inoculation ... .DES 1881 j 'had shown that the virus injections into the veins of sheep and goats do not show rage and confer immunity ... ".

In this article, he claims his priority in the demonstration of the possibility of getting rabies immunization, stressing that the results achieved in small ruminants (sheep, goat) were confirmed by Edmond Nocard and Emile Roux in 1888  · .

1907

In 1907, Galtier receives significant token of esteem from the Karolinska Institute of Stockholm who asked him to send all his work on rabies to offer his candidacy Nobel Prize of physiology and medicine for the year 1908.

1908

He died in 1908, and therefore can not learn that the Nobel Prize of physiology and medicine was going to be awarded for his work on the rabies (the prize is not awarded posthumously).

Other work

He also wrote several works on the intimate nature of the tissues on the infectiousness of the virus.

He wrote two books on "health regulation and legislation of its relationship with the pet trade" and on "The Treaty of contagious diseases and animal health."

Pierre Galtier has focused mainly on infectious diseases of domestic animals: rabies, common cold, tuberculosis, coal, pneumococcal enteritis, etc.

In addition to its findings on rabies, it also carries the common cold.

On the work of rabies

• Pierre Galtier, studies on rabies Rec. Med. Vet, 1879, 6, 2 E set number 17 p. 857–867.
• Pierre Galtier, Studies on rabies, Ann. Med. Vet., 1879, 28, p. 627–639.
• Pierre Galtier, studies on rabies – Rage of the rabbit. Galtier memory presented to the Academy of Sciences by M. Bouley, Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences in 1879, volume 89, pages 444–446, August 25, 1879.
• Pierre Galtier, First demonstration of rabies immunity and toxicity of nervous matter. Mr. Galtier submission to the Academy of Medicine by Mr. Bouley, Bulletin of the Academy of Medicine 1881, Volume 10, p 90-94, January 25, 1881
• Pierre Galtier, Transmission of rabies virus, Bull Acad. Med., 1881 {2} {e} series, Volume 10, p. 90–94
• Pierre Galtier, rabies injections into the circulation do not cause the outbreak of rabies and appear to confer immunity. Rabies can be transmitted by ingestion of the rabies matter. Note Mr. Galtier, presented at the Academy of Sciences by M.Bouley, Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences in 1881, Volume 93, p. 284–285, August 1, 1881
• Pierre Galtier, The proposed rabies in animals and humans in view of its characters and its prophylaxis, ed. Printing L.Bourgeon (Barbier Prize Academy of Medicine. Session of December 13, 1887). (Bréant Prize of the Academy of Sciences on Professor Bouchard's proposal claiming for the teacher Galtier, the first demonstration of rabies immunity. Session of December 26, 1887)
• Pierre Galtier, Persistence of rabid virulence in buried corpses. Note Mr. Galtier presented to the Academy of Sciences by Mr. Chauveau. Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences 1888, vol 106, p. 364–366, January 30, 1888
• Pierre Galtier, New experiences on anti-rabies inoculation to preserve herbivorous animals from rabies after mad dogs bite. Shelf life of the rabies virus. Note Mr. Galtier, presented at the Academy of Sciences by M. Chauveau. Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences in 1888, volume 106, pages 1189–1191, April 16, 1888.
• Pierre Galtier, New experiments designed to demonstrate the efficacy of intravenous injections of rabies virus to preserve rabies animals bitten by rabid dogs. Note Mr. Galtier presented to the Academy of Sciences by Mr. Chauveau, Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences in 1888, volume 107, pages 798–799, November 12, 1888
• Pierre Galtier, Treaty of infectious diseases, 1891, vol. 2, 141. (a chapter is dedicated to rabies).
• Pierre Galtier, A History page. Discovery of rabies immunity. Rabies vaccination by intravenous injection. Note communicated to the Barcelona Pasteur Review (-Spain Veterinary Journal in May 1908). Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Zoology, May 1904, 55, p. 274–277

On the other works as rabies

• Pierre Galtier, Treaty of contagious diseases and animal health of pets, ed. Beautiful Printing, Lyon, 1880. Introduced in October 1880 to the Academy of Medicine by Mr. Bouley
• Pierre Galtier, hazards in the use of products such as whey cheese, obtained from the milk of tuberculous cows (Presented at the Academy of Sciences by Mr. Chauveau), Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences 1887, Volume 104, pages 1333–1335, May 9, 1887
• Pierre Galtier, From the use of fresh blood in the clarification of wines, from the standpoint of possible transmission of tuberculosis to man (Presented at the Academy of Sciences by Mr. Chauveau), Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences in 1887, volume 104, pages 1879 to 1881, June 27, 1887
• Pierre Galtier, hazards tuberculous materials that have undergone heating, – drying, the contact with water, salting, freezing, putrefaction (Presented at the Academy of Sciences by Mr. Chauveau), Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences in 1887, volume 105, pages 231–234, July 25, 1887
• Pierre Galtier and Violet, Infectious Pneumo-enteritis or forage varieties of typhoid affections solipeds animals 1890. Memory crowned by the National Society of Agriculture of France Olivier de Serres Price. Barbier prices Medical Academy Session on December 15, 1891)
• Pierre Galtier, Treaty of contagious diseases (2 E Revised Edition), ed. Hasselin and Houzeau. First volume, pages 935 and second volume, 975 pages. 1891–1892 (Stanski Prize Academy of Medicine. Session of December 13, 1892)
• Pierre Galtier, Treaty of contagious diseases, ed Asselin-Houzeau, Paris, 1897
• Pierre Galtier, iodine action on the virus of anthrax and blackleg on the virus. Possibility to transform both virus vaccine by adding Lugol's solution at the time of inoculation, Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, August 1903, p. 462–467.

• "It is not enough that his name be saved from oblivion, the future must associate it with the Pastor of glory (Professor Pierre Lépine)
• "I am particularly grateful to Jean Théodoridès have devoted an entire chapter in the work of Galtier. This great unknown precursor of Pasteur (who cites incidentally) not only demonstrated the first opportunity to make ruminants refractory to rabies, but it has, by introducing the passages in rabbits in the experimental technique (that Pasteur will adopt after the failure of the passages on the monkey) gave the experimenter practical way to work safely to observe the behavior and evolution of rabies strains. We often forget that it is Galtier which through its work open to Pasteur beautiful path which led to one of the greatest triumphs of medical science (Professor Pierre Lépine)
• "It's Galtier which unquestionably opens the way for the modern systematic and reasoned experimentation in rage" (Professor Pierre Lépine)
• "These two discoveries Galtier and rabies were a disease whose experimentation was within the reach of every laboratory, they were so precarious, and whose preventive healing could be expected.

• Quote Pierre Lépine in Jean Théodoridès, History of rage Canem cellar, ed. Masson, 1986, preface by Pierre Lépine.
• Quote Jean Pierre Lepine in Théodoridès, History of rabies : Canem cellar, ed. Masson, 1986, p 189.
• That is to say, the use of the rabbit as experimental animal for the study of rabies and the ability to immunize against the disease with the help of 'intravenous inoculations of rabies virus well tolerated by the sheep and goat