{"id":81111,"date":"2021-11-30T10:55:44","date_gmt":"2021-11-30T15:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inrs.ca\/leffort-de-guerre-darmand-frappier-la-science-au-service-des-blesses\/"},"modified":"2023-05-11T15:53:14","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T19:53:14","slug":"the-work-of-dr-armand-frappier","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/inrs.ca\/en\/inrs\/the-work-of-dr-armand-frappier\/","title":{"rendered":"The work of Dr. Armand Frappier"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to our virtual exhibition on the contribution of Dr. Armand Frappier and the Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene of the University of Montreal in Canada’s war effort during World War Two.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The pre-war years<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the Province of Quebec, before World War Two, there is a desire to modernize scientific research, as there is no institution dedicated to microbiology, bacteriology or hygiene. As a result, Quebec has to rely on external sources for its vaccines and other biological products..  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One man is about to change all this. With the determination and energy that will become his trademark, Dr. Armand Frappier rallies the provincial government on the idea of creating and funding a Quebec organization that would shine at home and abroad. With war looming on the horizon, this institution will consolidate its status by taking part in the Canadian war effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Biography Dr Armand Frappier<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Armand Frappier in his school years, around 1918. Source : Armand-Frappier Museum, M2004.288.1-2<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Armand Frappier was born in 1904 in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. He chose medical studies after the death of his mother to tuberculosis. She was only 40. His medical studies completed, he specialized in bacteriology (from which microbiology would evolve). Thanks to grants such as one from the Rockerfeller Foundation, and because no such training is available in the Province of Qu\u00e9bec, Dr. Frappier began graduate studies abroad. Young Dr. Frappier trained in prestigious American institutions, such as the Trudeau School of Tuberculosis (University of Rochester). But above all, he studied at the Institut Pasteur in Paris. It is there he will rub shoulders with Dr. Albert Calmette, Camille Gu\u00e9rin and L\u00e9opold N\u00e8gre, the famous discoverers of the BCG tuberculosis vaccine. It is an attenuated strain of this vaccine that Dr. Frappier brings home with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upon his return, the career of Dr. Frappier begins auspiciously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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He is the founder of the diagnosis laboratory of St-Luc Hospital in Montreal. He also became assistant professor in the Bacteriology Department, a part of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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With the support of Dr. T\u00e9lesphore Parizeau, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, he leads the first BCG laboratory in North America (founded in 1926) in order to experiment and prepare the vaccine against tuberculosis. Dr. Armand Frappier will be among the first scientifics in North America to prove the safety and effectiveness of the BCG vaccine to his colleagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n

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Arthur Alexis and Bernadette Frappier with a young Armand Frappier, early in 1905. Source : Armand-Frappier Museum, M2004.396<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n

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Classical studies conventum at the Valleyfield College, 1934. Armand Frappier is in the upper part of the image, on the right. Source : INRS, Armand Frappier Fonds. Photographer : \u00c9lie Gendron<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n

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Armand Frappier\u2019s medical graduation in 1930. Source : INRS, Armand Frappier Fonds. Photographer : Albert Dumas<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n

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\u00ab Les Carabins \u00bb, a musical ensemble in which played Armand Frappier (3rd from the right). The money earned from concerts helped to finance Frappier\u2019s studies. Source : INRS, Armand Frappier Fonds<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n

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Violin and bow that belonged to Armand Frappier. He was an excellent musician. Source : Armand-Frappier Museum, P2000.265.1<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n

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Lab notebooks used by Armand Frappier while studying at the University of Rochester. 1931. Source : INRS, Armand Frappier Fonds<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n

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Letter from the Rockefeller Foundation announcing to Armand Frappier he was granted a scholarship. April 23, 1931. Source : INRS, Armand Frappier Fonds<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n

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Letter of appreciation from the Trudeau Tuberculosis School of the University of Rochester, New York. July 28, 1932. Source : INRS, Armand Frappier Fonds<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n

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Boarding fees of the Pasteur Institute in France to Mr. and Mrs. Frappier, in November 1932. Source : INRS, Armand Frappier Fonds<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n

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Letter written by Albert Calmette, one of the discoverers of the tuberculosis vaccine, which confirms that studies were undertaken by Dr. Frappier at the Pasteur Institute. December 13, 1932. Source : INRS, Armand Frappier Fonds<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n

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Appointment of Armand Frappier as Associate professor in bacteriology at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Montreal. December 16, 1938. Source : INRS, Armand Frappier Fonds<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div>\n

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Quebec Government and the University of Montreal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The University of Montreal and the Quebec Government exerted a strong influence on the Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene of the University of Montreal. First, the Institute traces its roots back to the Bacteriology Department, which was managed by Dr. Frappier and was part of the University\u2019s Faculty of Medicine. This is where the Institute\u2019s team was formed and also where originated the idea to create an organization dedicated to microbiology, preventive medicine and public health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Province of Quebec had a need to train experts in these fields. It also needed modern laboratories, and to produce its own vaccines instead of buying them abroad or in Ontario from the renowned Connaught Laboratories in Toronto. Dr. Frappier wanted to update scientific research in Quebec.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Based on the Institut Pasteur model, he worked to make it self-reliant through the sale of its production. In 1937, Quebec Premier Maurice Duplessis and the Minister of Health, J. A. Paquette, who both favoured Dr. Frappier\u2019s project, granted the initial funds for the creation of the Institute and pledged their help for its development, something they kept on doing as years passed by. The Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene of the University of Montreal was born in April 1938 as a non-profit corporation without share capital. After two years of talks, the University agrees to rent the Institute spaces in its future buildings on Mount Royal. Thanks to the financial support of the University of Montreal and the Quebec Government, the Institute of Microbiology settled in Wing H on May 1941. By a special Act in 1942, it was affiliated with the University and became the Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene of the University of Montreal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n

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The University of Montreal around 1945. The offices of the Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene were located to the right of the tower, in the first section, near the chapel (its tower is seen in the background). Source : Institut Armand-Frappier Fonds<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n

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Armand Frappier in the brand new laboratories of the Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene of the University of Montreal. Source : Institut Armand-Frappier Fonds<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n

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Armand Frappier in the laboratories of the Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene of the University of Montreal. Source : Institut Armand-Frappier Fonds Photographer : Federal News Photos of Canada<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n

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The University of Montreal around 1945. The offices of the Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene were located to the right of the tower, in the first section, near the chapel (its tower is seen in the background). Source : Institut Armand-Frappier Fonds<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n

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Agreement creating the new Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene. March 15, 1938. The signatories are (top to bottom): – Armand Dupuis, civil engineer and president of the Montreal School Board – T\u00e9lesphore Parizeau, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Montreal – Edmond Dub\u00e9, Scientific Director at Sainte-Justine Hospital – Armand Frappier, professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Montreal – Georges Pr\u00e9fontaine, professor at the Faculty of Science of the University of Montreal Source : Institut Armand-Frappier Fonds<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n

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First page of the charter incorporating the Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene. 1 April 1938. Source : Institut Armand-Frappier Fonds<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div>\n

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Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene of the University of Montreal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Institute of Microbiology and Hygiene of the University of Montreal is mostly indebted to its scientific experts for its success. From the beginning, they ensured that Dr. Frappier\u2019s dream would become a reality. From 1934\u20131935, Dr. Frappier was assisted by students, medical doctors and veterinarians, who became part of the first science cohort of the Institute of Microbiology. Most of them studied in the United States or in Europe, like Dr. Frappier, or in renowned institutions like St-Luc Hospital in Montreal or l\u2019\u00c9cole v\u00e9t\u00e9rinaire d\u2019Alfort in France. Amongst them were people like Victorien Fredette, Dr. Frappier\u2019s first assistant, Lionel Fort\u00e9, Jean Tass\u00e9, Maurice Panisset, Jean Denis, Vytautas Pavilanis, Paul Marois and Adrien Borduas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the passing of the years, the Institute\u2019s growing team built its strength on the complementary nature of its activities, as shown by the establishment of various research services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Microbiology, Public Health and Preventive Medicine Research Service brought together complementary and multidisciplinary departments, amongst which appeared the BCG Service, the Diphtheria Service, the Vaccination Service or the Human Serum Drying Service.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n