{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.019585253456221197, 'fraction_numerical': 0.012672811059907835, 'mean_word_length': 5.100702576112412, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
The foundation of clinical chemistry in the United States.

In this century of astounding scientific progress and brilliant research, recognition must be given to the patient labors of the early pioneers of science, many of whom laid the foundation for the discoveries that have proved to be of inestimable value to the welfare of mankind. The history of our past, whether in science or art, is always worthy of study and contemplation (1). In this presentation, I am submitting merely an overview of a few of the iminortals and institutions that have contributed to the development of clinical chemistry in the US and in which I have entertained an interest. A complete and detailed accounting of the myriad of chemists and physicians who have contributed to the development of clinical chemistry would require a lifetime undertaking of a professional historian. The Organizing Committee for the 1993 National Convention of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, chaired by Peter Wilding, prepared an excellent videotape and script of the history and activities of the AACC from its inception in 1948 until the present. The present review will include items only up until the AACC became firmly established; hence, there will be no overlap with the historical items in that account. Just where the story of the development of clinical chemistry in the US begins is nebulous and somewhat puzzling. However, the story might start by paying homage to the great scientific institutions in Germany during the 19th century, where most of our pioneers in the fields of chemistry and medicine received their training. In Browne’s review of chemistry in America from 1876 to 1926 (2), he stated: “In reviewing American contributions to physiological chemistry, the part that Germany has played in educating American scientists stands out strongly. It is a question whether we, in the United States, are not really living in the reflected glory of another country which has been exported hither.” In particular, the contributions of two outstanding European scientists should be recognized, Liebig of Germany and Bang of Norway, for their influence in establishing clinical chemistry as a discipline. Justus von Liebig (1803-1873), after his appointment as Professor of Chemistry at Giessen in 1826, is credited with having established the first clinical laboratory in the modern sense that was open to serious students and research workers. This laboratory was epoch-making because, according to Welch, it was in Liebig’s laboratory that the foundations of modern physiological chemistry were laid (3).