A historic photomicrograph of a parasite (Trichomonas vaginalis).
Knowing that Alfred Donné was the discoverer of an important human parasite, and finding that he was also a pioneer of photomicrography, it occurred to me that his parasite might well have become a subject of his photography. It was a simple matter to confirm that this was indeed the case. The parasite he discovered was Trichomonas vaginalis; and, in collaboration with Foucault, Donné made a photomicrograph showing several protozoan parasites lying among vaginal epithelial cells. His publication of an engraved image of the photomicrograph in 1845, was a landmark in the history of photography and microbiology.
Campbell
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WC
Charles A. Dana Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti, Drew University, Madison, NJ 07940-4037, USA. wcampbell@drew.edu
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D010274:Parasitology / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D010784:Photomicrography / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000266:history / Q000469:parasitology; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000166:cytology*