Stanford Emerson Chaillé,M.D. (1830-1911),

Matas Library Photograph Collection, no.520

Dean, School of Medicine, 1885-1908

Chairman, Department of Physiology, 1868-1907

Known as the "Father of Hygiene and Health Education" in America, Dr. Chaillé gained fame as the head of the U.S. Havana Yellow Fever Commission of 1879, organized to study the disease following the dreadful 1878 plague in New Orleans. His bacterial studies of the blood of yellow fever victims provided the links necessary for final discovery of the Aedes aegypti mosquito as the cause of the disease.

A national figurehead, Dr. Chaillé was spokesman for the establishment of community sewerage and drainage systems, street paving, pure water supplies and mosquito control. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the National Board of Health, forerunner of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

*Tulane graduate

 Dr. Chaillé in his office in 1894 (Photo no. 2587)