University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine - Scalpel Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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05 ,559 KG 347i A R. r. 'lieunarh 3Bear5un 1.,EON.'XRD l3',E:XRSON was lJO1'l1 .Xugust 17, 1868, i11 Evans- 11116 Indiana Much of his eailx edu 2111011 xx 1s bx l1o111e instiuc 11011 TIOI11 his 111011161 llc late1 cnteied Loincll Univcisitx f1o111 VVl1lCl1 institution 111 1888 l1c icceivcd 1 liacheloi of Science degiee 1.110111 Coinell l1e cnteied the bnn e1s1t1 of l ennsxlx 111141 uhich l1e spent a ycai abioad 211110110 thc toicign vete11na1y schools ln 1891 l1e was given tl1e Lhan of X 61611112111 Medicine .,.fK 1. 1. ' . l A . 1 ', , Q1 .v v, ', Xfeterinary Departinent, f1'Ol11 wl11cl1 l1e graduated 111 1890, after i11 l1is Alina Mater, a11d i11 1897 was 111ade Dean of tl1e Yeterina1'y School, a posi- tio11 wl1icl1 l1e hlled 1111111 l1is deatl1 witl1 conspicuous ability a11d success. During l1is period of service as Dean. tl1e School 111ai11tai11ed a l1igl1 standard a11d a CL11'1'1CL11L1111 which is one of tl1e broadest i11 tl1e la11d. Largely through his personal efforts, aided by tl1e profession i11 tl1e State, l1e obtai11ed State aid toward tl1e erection a11d co111pletion of buildings for the Veterinary School tl1at promises to n1alce it, i11 equipinent a11d teaching facilities, unsurpassed i11 the world. As a teacl1er a11d instructor, his wide ra11ge of experience, his extensive investigations i11 tl1e held of original work ainong a11i111al diseases, witl1 tl1e happy faculty of conveying tl1is knowledge to others, l1e re11dered services of special value to the profession 2I.l'lCl 1'lL11116I'OL1S States, a11d inany people in our la11d are reaping a ricl1 reward through tl1e eff1cient work do11e by Aluinni of tl1is School l1e so successfully directed. From 1895 l1e hlled tl1e role of State Veterinarian of Pennsylvania, a11d established tl1e State Livestock Sanitary Board. As Secretary of tl1e Board l1e so organized tl1e work of this sectio11 of the DClQ?lI'f111C11t of Agriculture that tl1e methods a11d plans of dealing with a11i111al diseases l1ave beco111e known as tl1e ilgennsylvania Syste111. U11ClG1' l1is direction, tl1is Department developed plans for deali11g with contagious a11d i11fectious diseases that have saved the people of our Con1n1onwealtl1 f1'O111 L111lEO1Cl losses. Tl1e better scientihc study of the causes a11d 111etl1ods of dealing with tl1ese diseases were 111aterially added tog at tl1e sa111e ti111e tl1e inaccurate a11d 111isleadi11g theories a11d 111CtllOC1S tl1at prevailed were eli111- i11ated. The establisl1111e11t of a State Farin, where 111a11y of tl1e i1nporta11t contagious a11d infectious diseases are being studied 111'1C1C1' 1211111 conditions, a11d 111etl1ods lJC111g dev-eloped whereby they 1112157 be CO1'1t1'OllCCl a11d eradicated, was 111ade possible by l1is efforts. TllOL1gl1 but a few years i11 existence. it has added a wealth of val- 11211516 knowledge to tl1e 111Ol'C accurate study of these diseases, a11d ClCtC1'l11ll'l6Cl tl1e practical value of vacci11ation for tl1e prevention of tuberculosis i11 cattle, a11d settled n1any obscure points i11 tl1e ever present and all l11lPOl C2l11'E inalady. Tl1e true 1l2lU.11'G of the disease long described u11der tl1e synonyms of spinal meningitis, cerebro-spinal meningitis, putrid sore throat, spotted fever a11d otl1er equally i11- clehnite 11a111es, was placed 1111Cl61' the single 110111CI1C1Z1tL1l'C of Forage Poisoning, a11d its single origi11 and cause deter111i11ed by Dr. lilearson. This knowledge has greatly facilitated 1116 methods of its P1'CVC11tlO11 and control. 16

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LEONARD PEARSON, BS., V.M.D., M.D

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A Meat Hygiene Service, under his directing hand, was established in Penn- sylvania, which has already returned to the State untold benelits, and is rapidly developing public sentiment in favor of municipal and local meat inspection. ln establishing this service, he brought forcibly to the attention of the people of Pennsylvania the fact that the Federal Inspection Service covered about 45 per cent. of the animal food supplyg and that to the remaining 55 per cent. there was but slight protection. The large cities of our State, in consuming meats principally from the great killing centers ot the West, were protected by the Federal Service. while the small towns and boroughs, where no inspection service existed, were in danger until the establishment of the State system. Much of the increased interest among breeders of pure bred animals in our State is due to his active interest in animal industry, and the establishment ot the present Stallion Inspection Service and Registry was strongly urged and advocated by Dr. Pearson in the Legislature of l907. This measure has already borne good fruit, and has given a new impetus to horse breeding, as well as affording accurate knowledge of the blood lines of the animals that stand for public service. In 1907 his Alma Mater, in recognition of the splendid work done in the Yeterinary Sanitary Control Service, and his achievements in the held of higher medicine, conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine. As a delegate from the United States to the two last International Congresses on Tuberculosis, held abroad, his work on animal tuberculosis attracted world- wide attention, in consequence of which he was given the distinguished place of honor at the head of this section at the recent great Tuberculosis Congress held at Xalashington, D. C. He efficiently lilled the position of President of the Keystone, Pennsylvania and American Veterinary Medical Associations, added to their better growth and advancement. and attracted universal attention and consideration by his con- tributions on many aspects of veterinary science and veterinary education. Pleasant and affable in manner, generous in nature, thoughtful and con- siderate of others at all times, he won a coveted place among the members of his adopted vocation. In the discharge of great responsibilities, a full measure of which he always accepted, he made good, and a nation's people became his debtor. S hm' X171 I V I 1- fx i- T? iv : ,5 ae l 17