pathogenesis, and epidemiology of medically important viral diseases and 2)
development of means for their control. This credo for conduct of research in LID was
first articulated by Armstrong and Huebner over 50 years ago, and it still continues to
serve as our compass. An important subtext of this credo is that LID scientists are
allowed and encouraged to pursue an infectious disease problem from beginning to end.
This means that they must master most or all of the approaches and technologies required
for the successful pursuit of such a broad objective.”
Charles Armstrong’s approach to the study of LCM demonstrated adherence to
the principles of the above goals that resulted in the major elaboration of knowledge
about this virus. He succeeded while utilizing the uncomplicated technological tools of
the 1930s. He discovered the virus, associated it with a variety of recognizable human
infectious presentations, established a laboratory method for diagnostic recognition,
performed studies to evaluate its epidemiologic significance, discovered the animal
reservoir, proposed public health measures for control and studied the nature of the
disease in its rodent host. Over the years fine, sophisticated studies have elaborated on the
biology, chemistry and molecular structure of the virus, but, in comparing them to
Armstrong’s investigations, they are really merely commentaries.
Notes – “Green Thumb” Virologist; Saint Louis Encephalitis; Lymphocytic
Choriomeningitis
- Thucydides: History of the Peloponnesian War, The Plague at Athens Book II,
Chapters: 47- 54. Reprinted in Clendening, Ibid., pp. 27-32.