Almost immediately he was posted to Malta where he did his famous work on Malta fever. His next appointment was that of assistant professor of pathology at the Army Medical College at Netley, where he stayed for the following five years. Before taking up his post, however, he spent his leave in Berlin working in Robert Koch's laboratories.
In 1894 he was posted to South Africa and commenced his investigations into trypanosomiasis. While in South Africa he was recalled to purely military duties during the Boer War. Shut up in Ladysmith during the siege he took charge of a large military hospital and his wife, who accompanied him on all his travels, undertook the duties of sister-in-charge of the operating theatre.
Sir David does not appear to have a great liking for the finer details of laboratory technique and Lady Bruce, who became a highly-skilled bacteriologist and microscopist, was largely responsible for the technical work that his research required.
During the 1914-1918 war Bruce was commandant of the Royal Army Medical College at Millbank and was responsible for research into trench fever and tetanus. He was knighted in 1908 and received many honours to this day his name is perpetuated by the David Bruce Laboratories in Wiltshire, and the David Bruce Hospital in Malta (formerly the military hospital). He died in London on 27 November, 1931, four days after the death of his wife.
Ms. Tanya Agius
whonamedit.com - Sir David Bruce: http://www.whonamedit.com/doctor.cfm/871.html
Hoslink: Pioneers in Medical Laboratory Science, Sir David Bruce: http://hoslink.com/pioneers.htm |
