[Medical Symbols: Autograph Note Signed by Dr. Gilbert Sersiron, Anti-Tuberculosis Crusader].

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Autograph Note Signed by Dr. Gilbert Sersiron, French physician, anti-tuberculosis crusader, and proposer of the Cross of Lorraine as the symbol of the fight against tuberculosis.

Writing to a woman from his sanatarium at La Barboule in central France, Dr. Sersirons here proposes a medical treatment of gargling with mineral water (containing arsenic) from the Source Croizat and inhalation therapy using a mist from that same hot arsenical spring. Dr. Sersirons was the author of La Cure Arsenicale et les Nouvelles Salles d’Inhalation de la Bourboule (Paris, 1905) which proposed the therapeutic use of arsenic and mineral waters.

“In 1902, twenty years after Robert Koch discovered the tuberculosis germ, representatives from many countries met in Berlin to discuss how tuberculosis could be eliminated. This was a very courageous undertaking as tuberculosis was still the leading cause of death at the time. Dr. Gilbert Sersiron, of Paris, France suggested that it would be appropriate for this endeavour or ‘crusade’ to adopt the emblem of another crusader, the Duke of Lorraine. Godfrey of Bouillon who used the double-barred cross in 1099 which was itself a variation of the Jerusalem or Patriarchal, Cross. Dr. Sersiron’s recommendation was adopted and the double-barred cross became the world-wide symbol of the fight against tuberculosis.”¹

Price: $100.00