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　　本期人物：王季午

　　Wang Jiwu (1908–2005), formerly known as Wang Yuanshen, was a distinguished Chinese expert in internal medicine, infectious diseases, and a renowned medical educator. Born in Wuxian, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, he was of Han ethnicity. Wang served as the director of the Affiliated Hospital of National Guiyang Medical College and acting president of the college. He joined the Jiusan Society in 1956 and became a member of the Communist Party of China in 1985.

　　As one of China’s most eminent experts in infectious diseases, Wang made remarkable contributions to the prevention and treatment of infectious and parasitic diseases prevalent in China. His most significant academic achievement was synthesizing the latest advancements in infectious disease research both domestically and internationally, and compiling textbooks and reference materials tailored to China’s context, establishing him as a pioneer in the field of infectious disease education in China.

　　Professor Wang Jiwu also held numerous prestigious positions, including member of the China Association for Science and Technology, vice-chairman of the Internal Medicine Society of the Chinese Medical Association, chairman of the Infectious Diseases Society of the Chinese Medical Association, president and honorary president of the Zhejiang Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, member of the National Schistosomiasis Control Committee, editor-in-chief of the Chinese Journal of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, editorial board member of the Chinese Medical Journal and the Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine, editor-in-chief of Zhejiang Medical Journal and Journal of Zhejiang Medical University, and advisor to the Foreign Medical Sciences: Epidemiology and Foreign Medical Sciences: Infectious Diseases journals.

　　

　　With a heart dedicated to healing that never rested, his legacy endures, forever inspiring generations. He was one of the founding figures of infectious disease studies in China. Through the passage of time, with the compassion of a healer and the scholarly rigor of a researcher, he etched the term “infectious diseases” into the annals of Chinese medical history. He stands as a monument, profound and serene like deep waters. His life reads like a vivid textbook—open any page, and the fragrance of medical education wafts through.

　　Over nearly a century, with unparalleled patience and wisdom, he unraveled complex medical puzzles, teaching the Chinese people how to lift their heads and face formidable diseases with courage. Wang Jiwu, a renowned expert in internal medicine, infectious diseases, and medical education, a first-class professor of infectious diseases, and a doctoral supervisor, served as the president of Zhejiang Medical University. Though he has passed away, his medical spirit has transformed into an eternal legend, continuing to thrive. When the spring breeze rises again, his story will still ripple warmly through the river of time.

　　

01

　　Start Point

　　In 1908, Wang Jiwu was born into a scholarly family in Suzhou. Although his father had only achieved the title of a xiucai (a scholar in the imperial examination system), he was well-versed in both Chinese and Western literature. At the time, his father recognized the significant gap between China and foreign countries and believed that revitalizing the nation required learning from the West. Thus, he decided to send his children to “Western-style schools.” Among the four brothers in the family, Wang Jiwu was the youngest, displaying exceptional intelligence and excelling in his studies from an early age. At a missionary school, Wang Jiwu received a systematic, comprehensive, and broad education, laying a solid foundation for his future medical career.

　　At that time, medical conditions in China were poor, and a modern medical system had yet to be established. During Wang Jiwu’s youth, his mother tragically passed away from typhoid fever, and his aunt succumbed to tuberculosis. Wang Jiwu himself also suffered repeatedly from malaria. As a young boy, he often passed by the Epidemic Hospital on Tibet Road in Shanghai, witnessing countless patients struggling between life and death. These scenes left a deep impression on him. At the same time, he saw the suffering of schistosomiasis patients in his hometown. These painful experiences and memories sometimes left the young Wang Jiwu in a daze. Gradually, the dream of “becoming a doctor” took root in his heart. He felt that if he could treat diseases and help those around him, it would be a remarkable achievement.

　　In 1926, at the age of 18, Wang Jiwu was admitted to the pre-medical program at Soochow University with outstanding grades. This marked another starting point in his medical career, launching him on a journey of in-depth exploration in the field of medicine. The pre-medical curriculum at Soochow University was rigorous and highly regarded at the time, covering all aspects of medicine. For Wang Jiwu, this was both a challenge and an opportunity. He diligently studied and researched, particularly interested in foundational subjects such as biology, physics, and chemistry, where he built a strong academic foundation. Beyond textbook knowledge, he often keenly grasped the dialectical essence of medicine through classroom lectures and practical experiences. As a young man forging ahead in the vast ocean of medicine, he completed the four-year pre-medical program in just three years. With his solid expertise and relentless pursuit of knowledge, he was admitted to the prestigious Peking Union Medical College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Soochow University.

　　At Peking Union Medical College, Wang Jiwu immersed himself daily in the sea of medicine, spending most of his time between classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and hospital wards. He particularly focused on case studies and clinical practice. In 1934, Wang Jiwu earned his medical doctorate and stayed on as an assistant and lecturer, officially beginning his medical career. At the time, infectious diseases were a severe issue in China, and Wang Jiwu conducted in-depth research on kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis). Faced with the challenges of treating and diagnosing kala-azar, he achieved numerous innovations and breakthroughs. Through animal and clinical experiments, he discovered and validated several new drugs for treating kala-azar, such as neostibosan. He also observed the distribution characteristics of the pathogen Leishmania donovani in the human body. This led him to innovatively use macrophages obtained by puncturing enlarged lymph nodes to monitor patients’ conditions. Beyond established diagnostic methods, he provided a new and simplified diagnostic basis for kala-azar. This method significantly reduced the risks and complexity of diagnosis, making it easier to identify the disease.

　　At the time, Wang Jiwu’s research on kala-azar was frequently published in domestic and international medical journals, attracting attention in the academic community. Later, he published numerous papers in the Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine in the United States, such as Neostibosan and Experimental Kala-Azar in Chinese Hamsters, Urea Stibamine and Urea Stibamine in the Treatment of Kala-Azar in Chinese Hamsters, and Immunity of Recently Cured Hamsters with Leishmania donovani Infection to Canine Leishmaniasis. These papers not only demonstrated high academic standards but also had significant theoretical and practical impact, garnering widespread attention in the domestic and international academic communities. His research achievements were praised by American colleagues at Harvard University as “Kala-azarman” (a term acknowledging his accomplishments in kala-azar research), affirming his outstanding work.

　　In addition to his research on kala-azar, Wang Jiwu also conducted in-depth studies on diseases such as malaria, typhus, and diphtheria. His work in these infectious disease areas further expanded his academic influence and contributions. To tackle various medical challenges, he continuously strived and engaged in practical research, elevating treatment standards and providing valuable insights and experiences.

　　

　　02

　　See the World

　　In 1940, Wang Jiwu reached a turning point in his career. With the support of the Rockefeller Foundation, he was granted a valuable opportunity to travel to Tulane University in New Orleans, USA, where he studied tropical medicine under Professor C.E. Faust, a former faculty member of Peking Union Medical College. At Tulane University, Wang Jiwu gained widespread recognition for his outstanding academic performance and exceptional medical skills. The title of “Honorary Lecturer” he received marked his high achievements in both academic and professional fields. In 1941, Wang Jiwu was acknowledged for his expertise by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and became an official member. During his year in the United States, he not only focused on academic research but also conducted in-depth visits to renowned medical schools and tropical disease research institutions, including Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Yale University, the State University of New York, and the University of Chicago. Additionally, Wang Jiwu dedicated his time to studying the life cycle of fleas at the Hoover Foundation Plague Research Institute at the University of California. These experiences broadened his research horizons and laid a solid international foundation for medical education and scientific research.

　　Not long after, Wang Jiwu concluded his studies and investigations in the United States and returned to his homeland. At the time, China was in the midst of the Anti-Japanese War, and Peking Union Medical College had been forced to close, with the southwest becoming the nation’s rear area. In this challenging historical context, Wang Jiwu chose to take up a new position at Guiyang Medical College as an associate professor and later professor of internal medicine, as well as the director of academic affairs and the president of the affiliated hospital. He even served as the acting president of the medical college during critical moments. Faced with the简陋设备和艰苦条件 at Guiyang Medical College, Wang Jiwu demonstrated exceptional academic rigor and leadership, earning the institution the reputation of being a “mini Peking Union Medical College.” During his time at Guiyang Medical College and its affiliated hospital, Wang Jiwu worked closely with his students, seamlessly integrating work, life, and even entertainment. The medical college placed great emphasis on “Physician’s Day,” often hosting celebratory dances with live bands, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere in Guiyang’s medical community. According to his students, Wang Jiwu particularly enjoyed the song “拷红一曲.” Despite the national crisis, Guiyang Medical College flourished with a rigorous academic atmosphere and a deep integration of medical education. The camaraderie between faculty and students was profound, akin to a family. Wang Jiwu’s meticulous approach to education not only upheld the educational philosophy of Peking Union Medical College but also laid the foundation for nurturing outstanding medical talent in the future.

　　With the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, China’s educational system began to recover and rebuild, and the field of higher education once again brimmed with vitality. At the time, Professor Zhu Kezhen of Zhejiang University recognized the importance of medical education and, considering Wang Jiwu’s successful experience in Guiyang, specially invited him to Hangzhou to establish Zhejiang Medical College. Wang Jiwu was appointed as the dean of the medical college and the president of its affiliated hospital. Zhu Kezhen, Li Zongen, and Wang Jiwu were determined to build Zhejiang Medical College into a first-class medical institution in China, a vision that became the college’s enduring goal. Wang Jiwu placed great emphasis on improving the quality of education and was strict in admitting new students, preferring quality over quantity. The newly established Zhejiang Medical College implemented a seven-year program, where students immediately began intensive training in foundational courses such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and English. The college adopted a credit system, encouraged independent learning and exploration, and allowed students to take elective courses across departments. Recognizing that faculty was the core of medical education, Wang Jiwu carefully selected a group of renowned domestic professors, whose solid academic abilities and excellent teaching skills earned Zhejiang Medical College widespread acclaim for its curriculum in both basic and clinical medicine. Under his leadership, Zhejiang Medical College quickly gained a high national reputation, cultivating a large number of outstanding medical students with broad perspectives, solid professional foundations, and a rigorous academic ethos.

　　

　　

　　

　　

　　

　　

　　

　　

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