Elsie Dalyell

Australian medical researcher

Elsie Dalyell

Elsie Jean Dalyell (13 December 1881 – 1 November 1948) was an Australian medical researcher known for her work in pathology and nutrition. She was one of the first women to graduate in medicine from the University of Sydney and made significant contributions to the understanding of nutritional diseases.

Early Life and Education

Elsie Dalyell was born in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. She attended Sydney Girls High School and later enrolled at the University of Sydney, where she was one of the first women to study medicine. Dalyell graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1909.

Career

After completing her medical degree, Dalyell worked at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. In 1910, she moved to London to further her studies and worked at the Royal Free Hospital. During World War I, she served as a pathologist with the Royal Army Medical Corps in Malta, where she conducted research on infectious diseases.

Research in Nutrition

In the 1920s, Dalyell joined the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine in London, where she focused on nutritional research. Her work on the effects of vitamin deficiencies was pioneering, particularly her studies on rickets and scurvy. Dalyell's research contributed to the understanding of the importance of vitamins in preventing these diseases.

Later Life and Legacy

Dalyell returned to Australia in the 1930s and continued her research and teaching. She was a member of several professional organizations and was recognized for her contributions to medical science. Dalyell passed away in 1948, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking research that paved the way for future studies in nutrition and pathology.

Related pages

• University of Sydney
• Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
• Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine
• Rickets
• Scurvy