- Lucien Howe
Lucien Howe (1848-1928) was an American physician who spent much of his career as a professor of
ophthalmology at theUniversity of Buffalo . In 1876 he was instrumental in the creation of the Buffalo Eye and Ear Infirmary.Howe is mainly remembered for his work in the prevention of
blindness . In 1926 he established the Howe Laboratory atHarvard Medical School for research and study ofbiochemistry ,genetics ,neurobiology , andphysiology concerning the eye. Also the American Ophthalmology Society names its most prestigious award- the Lucien Howe Medal after him. Howe was a catalyst in New York State concerning the mandatory application ofsilver nitrate drops into the eyes of newborns as adisinfectant in order to prevent neonatal infection and possible blindness.Howe was also a major figure in support of the controversial science of
eugenics . From a hereditary standpoint, he believed that eugenics could be a positive tool in the fight against preventable blindness. He theorized that by sterilizing the blind, the undesirable trait could eventually be eradicated.External References:
* [http://www.howelaboratory.harvard.edu/ The Howe Laboratory]
* [http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Meadow/8921/eugenics.html Lucien Howe and Eugenics]
* [http://www.buffalo.edu/buildings/building?id=howe University at Buffalo; Howe Building]
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