Take Hagiwara

Japanese physician and researcher

Take Hagiwara

Take Hagiwara (萩原タケ, 1890–1969) was a pioneering Japanese physician and researcher known for her significant contributions to the field of pediatrics and nutrition. Her work in developing a treatment for beriberi in infants was groundbreaking and had a lasting impact on public health in Japan.

Early Life and Education

Take Hagiwara was born in 1890 in Tokyo, Japan. She was raised in a family that valued education, which was relatively uncommon for women in Japan at the time. Hagiwara pursued her medical education at the Tokyo Women's Medical University, where she graduated with a degree in medicine. Her interest in pediatrics and nutrition was sparked during her studies, leading her to focus her career on these areas.

Career

After completing her education, Hagiwara began working at the Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital. She quickly became involved in research, particularly focusing on the nutritional needs of infants. Her most notable work was in the study and treatment of beriberi, a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine).

Research on Beriberi

Beriberi was a prevalent disease in Japan during the early 20th century, particularly affecting infants who were fed on polished rice, which lacked thiamine. Hagiwara's research demonstrated the importance of thiamine in preventing the disease. She developed a method to treat and prevent infantile beriberi by supplementing diets with thiamine-rich foods. Her work significantly reduced the incidence of the disease and saved countless lives.

Legacy

Hagiwara's contributions to medicine and public health were recognized both in Japan and internationally. Her research not only improved the health of infants in Japan but also contributed to the global understanding of nutritional deficiencies and their impact on health. She was a role model for women in medicine and inspired future generations of female physicians and researchers.

Related Pages

• Pediatrics
• Nutrition
• Beriberi
• Vitamin B1
• Tokyo Women's Medical University