|
|
|
A brief biography of
Dr. F. G. Banting Frederick Grant Banting completed his medical studies at the University of Toronto and established a surgical practise in London, Ontario, supplementing his income as a medical demonstrator at the University of Western Ontario. In London he conceived a technique which might permit isolation of the anti-diabetic component of the pancreas. He returned to the University of Toronto in 1921 to conduct experiments on the pancreas at the labs of Dr. J.J.R. MacLeod. By the time the summer had ended, he and Charles Best had isolated insulin. Dr. J.B. Collip developed the process by which insulin was able to be refined and processed in sufficient amounts for clinical trials. Fame came quickly to the soft-spoken Banting who won the Nobel Prize for Medicine because of his discovery. Many honours followed, including knighthood, and Banting continued to work on further research and coordinated the National Wartime Medical Research effort. His efforts were cut short by a fatal crash in Newfoundland in 1941. The following represents an entry into Dr. Banting's diary, March 21, 1931: It occurred to me when we were puffing up the hill and the train was speeding along away below that the engine with all its power could not go up that slushy, soft, snowy road as fast as we could. Power is useless unless directed in the proper channel. People have different powers and the big question in life must be-"Are we on the right road for travel ?" We will certainly not get far in our given time unless we have chosen the road that is fitted to our particular locomotive. A letter from the late Mr. Bill
Banting The following is a letter written by the son of Dr. Banting, Bill Banting, which was written following the lighting of the eternal flame in London, Ontario (the birthplace of the idea leading to the discovery of insulin.) Bill Banting has spent a lot of time in Alliston, Ontario Dear Friends of Diabetes Research, My father asked more of himself than others. Anxious to give his first year medical students a synopsis of the latest research, he thought the material for his lecture wasn't good enough. To do a better job, he took his medical journals to bed with him. Hours later, rising from a sleep, he scribbled down a brief paragraph that would lead to the discovery of insulin. That was the night of October 30th, seventy-four years ago and how my father's name was first associated with diabetes research. He conceived the idea of isolating insulin in his house in London, Ontario. Today that house is the Banting Museum and Education Centre. I visited there this spring on the eve of my father's induction to the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. For the first time I saw where the concept was first sparked that took him to the dramatic breakthrough at the labs of the University of Toronto. My work has taken me across five continents, but meeting the volunteers of the Canadian Diabetes Association was a defining moment of my life. I discovered that their dedicated energy makes the world a better place for people with diabetes. When I was born, my father was 38. He died a month before my 12th birthday. He was 49. He was raised a farm boy and the country was in his bones. He showed me how to make a whistle from a willow twig -- where to look for four leaf clovers -- and which unseen bird sang that song. This was valuable stuff for a young boy to get from his Dad. His biographies will tell you that he could be headstrong and stubborn and a very tough man to cross. But he was also fiercely loyal to his friends, colleagues, and war comrades. My rather was also kind and gentle -- especially with animals and children -- who loved him. He received grateful letters from thousands of children with diabetes which he would read, late at night, with soft tears in his eyes. He know insulin was not a cure. As World War II approached, he re-joined the army and I saw less of him. One night in early 1941 he come home and asked me to come to his study with him. Invitations to his study usually meant trouble, but this time it was different. He quietly told me he was going to Britain on was business, and that it was a secret. I was to work hard at school and help with the chores. Next morning he left for Ottawa to catch his plane. He never came back. In front of the house where my father conceived his idea for insulin -- a flame burns from a cairn. It is called the flame of hope, and on the day a cure is found for diabetes, it will be extinguished. With your support harnessed to the all out efforts of dedicated researches -- the lives of men, women and children with diabetes will be made better -- and eventually a cure will surely be found. If my father could be here, I know he would cheer your good work by supporting the Canadian Diabetes Association. Signed: Bill Banting Alliston, Ontario This document has been prepared to announce the decision to produce a formal painting of the Banting homestead. As decided on the first Sir Frederick Banting Day celebration, in the Town of New Tecumseth, on November 14, 1995, the well-known Canadian artist David Harrington has been commissioned to create the first ever limited edition painting of the farm. This work of art will be used both to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, and to raise the awareness that diabetes has not yet been cured. The painting will show the farm as it was around 1918 when Dr. Frederick Banting, by then a hero of the Great War, returned home and then started his practice in London, Ontario. The Bantings are fortunate to have a family historian - Edward Banting, a son of Thompson Banting, and nephew of Sir Frederick Grant Banting. Edward is the present owner of the farm where Sir Frederick was born. Edward and his wife Louise (both now deceased) kept accurate records of Banting and Grant family history for many years, and most of the information in this text is from their files. In 1841, when Edward's great-grandfather John Banting decided to move his family away from Ballyfrim, Northern Ireland, crossing the Atlantic was a dangerous adventure. Of British decent, John had decided to put behind him the on-going problems in Ireland and to seek a better life in Canada. He, his wife Hester, and his family, after a long ocean voyage on the Hector, disembarked in Halifax, and continued their uncomfortable journey by steamer and stage coach to Simcoe County. At the end of their travel, they settled in Bond Head, about 45 kilometers north of Toronto, where, for a brief period, John ran the local tavern. William Thompson Banting, one of John and Hester Banting's family of eight, was born in Canada in 1849 and raised in Thompsonville. In January 1879, William married Margaret Grant, who was the daughter of millwright, Alexander Grant. He built and managed Fletchers Mill, the first flour and grist mill on the Boyne River in Alliston. The Grants came to Nova Scotia from Scotland in the 1830's. Margaret was the first child of European descent born in Alliston in 1854. They went on to work the farm in Thompsonville, and on another farm nearby, before searching out their own homestead. William and Margaret (Maggie) lost one son, Alfred Grant, in his first year, but went on to raise four sons - Nelson, Thompson, Kenneth, and Frederick, as well as a daughter Essie. When Margaret was expecting the arrival of Frederick, their last born, the family moved to their new homestead near Alliston, Ontario, a village about 30 kilometers south-west of Barrie. Frederick Grant Banting was born in the front downstairs bedroom of the old farmhouse on November 14, 1891. In the same year, the entire downtown section of Alliston burned right to the ground, leaving only what is now St. John's United Church. The Bantings settled in their new home and became regular members of this church. No matter what weather conditions prevailed, they were present in the congregation every Sunday. Their original barn was very close to, and directly north of the house. After it burned, the Merediths built a new structure, at a much greater distance from, and to the west of the house. This would not be the last time the elegant farm house was threatened by fire. This beam type barn was 50 feet by 80 feet, running north and south, with ramp entrances to the upper barn on the west side. It served its purpose for many years and was still in good condition when the Bantings took over the farm in 1891. The granaries and hay loft were always full, and silage was stored in the silo, which the Bantings constructed in July, 1909. In the barn, the Banting boys not only worked with all the animals, but under William's encouragement, systematically investigated any animal death which occurred. There is no doubt that the knowledge gained here assisted Fred in the discovery of insulin. (The idea to use four month fetal calf pancreas came to Fred during a walk past the abattoirs in Toronto). Just off the back, north-west corner of the house, an ice house and wood shed were located. West of the house and between the house and the barn, there were also a hog pen shelter, a hen house and a driving shed. There was an orchard in front of the house and a cedar hedge ran up the north side of the lane, which ran east to west. At this time, about 80 acres of land had been cleared and the other 20 acres were in good bush, which included hard maple, soft elm, rock elm, beech, basswood, ash, red oak, spruce, cedar and other lesser species. Each year, the Bantings tapped about 75 hard maples for syrup and sugar. William kept purebred Shorthorn cattle, and was one of two men who promoted good cattle breeding in Simcoe County. He and Maggie believed that hard work should fill every working hour, and in addition they expected all family members to make the best of all leisure time. They encouraged their family to be free thinking, thrifty, and resourceful. They often used the large home for family gatherings on weekends, holidays and special occasions. Margaret, often known as Aunt Maggie, was the family matriarch and, like many Banting's, was a great story teller. She often read to her family at bedtime. In 1903, William installed a complete water and sewage system in his home, in order to have hot and cold water constantly on tap in the kitchen and bathroom. This also allowed his family the convenience and comfort of an inside toilet - an almost unheard of luxury in a country home at that time. That same year, he also had the house brick-clad. With a sand point pounded down 26 feet, there was always a good supply of fresh water for the house and barn. William used a windmill as the motive force to pump water. On 1915 March 3, William sold the farm to his son, Thompson Banting, for $7,000. When Thompson was a boy he had helped to plant a row of hard maples across the front, and he laid claim to the farm when he grew up. Thompson married Lena Knight of Alliston in 1910 and spent his first five years of farming on a rented farm, until his father was ready to retire. Afterwards, William often worked on the farm but he and Maggie had moved into a new house in Alliston. Thompson and Lena raised five children Helen, Edward, Arthur, Ralph and Marie. The next year on August 31, 1916, during noon-hour while the family was busy threshing, a fire started in the barn-yard. With a very strong wind, the flames soon spread and took all the buildings except the house, which was only saved by men continuously pouring water on the roof. That same fall and winter, Mr. George Snell (barn builder) built a new barn measuring 42 feet by 90 feet. This barn was of plank truss construction, with a hip roof (something new in those days) and a brick foundation, three bricks thick. The eight-sided implement shed was built in July, 1918, also of brick (his father-in-law was a brick-layer). These bricks were purchased from the Presbyterian Church in Alliston. It seems they had bought Alliston brick for their new Church, then later decided to use pressed brick. The eight-sided implement shed was a Banting invention, and Nelson, Fred's brother, had one on his farm on Concession Road east of the homestead. The roof cast the snow off well, and the many sides of the shed made it very easy to work on the farm implements. By this time, Fred had completed medical school and in 1917 had gone off to war. The rest of the boys were out on their own. Essie was married. The farm, however, flourished under Thompson's care. It became a weekend and vacation gathering spot for the Bantings. Fred and other family members often returned for lavish Christmas dinners. It was the location where the family celebrated Fred's return from the war. In 1919, Thompson Banting purchased the East 1/2 of the West 1/2 of the same lot from Franklin E.C. Bettschen for $2,600, increasing the size of the farm to 145 acres. In 1920, the farm procured its first car, a shiny new Chevrolet, purchased for $995. It is clear that William Banting made the farm flourish and prosper, and was able to give his family gifts and money to get them started when they left home. While Thompson, Nelson and Kenneth started up in farming, Fred used his money for education. In the summer of 1921, however, Fred Banting was completely broke. William was covering his loans. He and his son Thompson helped fund Fred's work on insulin during the summer of 1921. Fred was not receiving a salary for his work. It is not hard to picture what went on at the farm between 1922 and the 1924, since many of the world-wide newspapers and publications, covering the discovery of insulin and the award of Canada's first Nobel Prize, show photographs of the old farm house where Alliston's now illustrious son was born. Fred, as was the custom, was often home on weekends in his Ford car. This was not always easy, as Fred had to back his Model T up some of the hills on Highway # 89. Alan Banting, Nelson's son, recorded the story of Fred pacing back and forth in the parlour of the old house one Sunday afternoon. He was lamenting the frustrations he was encountering with the insulin work in Toronto. The farmhouse was much too large for Thompson's family and it was impossible to heat. In fact, in the winter, the Bantings could only live in a small number of the front rooms. In 1925, the back part of the house, which was added in 1906, was torn down to the ground and using most of the same old material, the front part was renovated making it an eight-room farm house similar to the house in which Fred was born. This sits on the original foundation. From Fred’s notes, the parlor of the renovated house is in the same location as the parlor in the old house. This is where Fred Banting was born. It was a warm bedroom on November 14th, 1891. Thompson, Fred Banting’s brother, was careful to keep it the same. Fred Banting slept in the house and painted on the new front porch but never lived in the updated house. He visited the farm and his mother in Alliston often. He always gave all the Banting children a small sum of money at Christmas. W. Hancey of Alliston wired the new house for electricity at cost of $42.50. Then in 1928 a Delco plant was installed to supply electricity to the house, barn and implement shed. The Delco was changed to hydro in 1935. At this time six horses did the field work, but in 1940 two horses were replaced by a small Ford Tractor with Ferguson System. In 1946, a second smal1 tractor replaced the remaining horses. In 1950, Edward purchased a self-propelled combine and, in the following year, a hay and straw bailer. On April 10, 1952, Thompson sold the farm to his son Edward Banting for $15,000. He continued working it for many years. A change-over took place gradually over the next few years. Thompson had sold his Holstein dairy cows and had replaced them with beef cattle. Pigs were also introduced gradually. Mixed farming became the practice on this farm, with a main crop of potatoes. Thompson was one of the organizers of the 500 Bushel Potato Club, and won the gold watch in 1945, followed by Edward, who won it in 1950. Edward and Louise, having raised three children: Marie, Charles and Ann on the farm, then retired and rented out the farm land. Marie now resides on the homestead. It is worth noting that the homestead carries another item of historical interest. Just south-west of the house is a curious glacial drumlin hill which is about 50 feet high. Going back 11,000 years, it was an island in great lake Algonquin, dammed to the north of Lake Huron by the foot of the ice cap. According to legend, the Clovis or Palaeo Indians used this as a camping ground. The land was the bottom of the lake explaining the richness of its soil, making it suitable for growing potatoes. The farm plough frequently turned up artifacts and in 1973 a dig was conducted at the site. The farm like many others became the summer camp for many Bantings. The Banting offspring would leave the city and enjoy the clean quiet life on the farm. Bill Banting, Fred's only son, now living with his wife Nancy in Vancouver, was one of many of the family's children to enjoy rural life. On September 14, 1975 a cairn was erected at the front of the farm. The South Simcoe Historical Association, with assistance from Essa Township, established the permanent memorial. The cairn, which is a huge, five-ton granite ball, symbolizing the enormous impact the discovery of insulin had on the world, holds a small bronze plaque which shows a picture of the old farm house. Fred Banting's wife, Dr. Henrietta Banting, was present at the unveiling, along with many dignitaries and other members of the Banting family. The plaque beside the large stone ball holds a message which reads: BIRTHPLACE OF SIR FREDERICK BANTING Frederick Grant Banting, discoverer of insulin, was born November 14, 1891, on the original Banting homestead immediately behind this Cairn. In this quite rural environment he gained a deep understanding of the ways of nature. From his parents he learned inquisitiveness, resourcefulness, persistence, sincerity and true godliness. Always fond of dogs during his boyhood Dr. Banting was later to experiment with these animals in the discovery of insulin. Life and hope resulted for diabetics around the world. Died February 21st, 1941 in Newfoundland. Erected with the assistance of Essa Township. Simcoe County Historical Association, 1975. The Banting Homestead continues to be a Mecca for the Bantings as every year, on the second Sunday in July, the Banting clan hosts its annual picnic. Pleasant conversation, reminiscing, children's games, horseshoe competitions followed by a pot luck dinner are the order of the day. This day and Sir Frederick Banting Day will be special events for Bantings in 1996. In 1991, Alliston and the farm became part of the newly-formed Town of New Tecumseth (the correct spelling). The borders of the Town were extended to include the homestead. (In a close vote, the name of New Tecumseth was selected over Banting; by the local voters). For years now, the once prosperous Banting farm land has been rented out. Any scent of the typical farm shed was now replaced by the aroma of cedar bark chips placed so carefully on the earthen floor in preparation the day. The familiar smell of barnyard animals was not there, but I suppose that it was not missed. If the animals had been there, traditional farm noises would have been drowned out by laughter from children bussed to the farm for the big event. A light snow was falling and the children were busy adding an unscheduled event to the activities of the day. They were making good use of the new packing snow to make a snowman they called Sir Frederick Banting. They had to work hard to find enough snow to create their icy image, but I admired their ambition, as it did come close to looking like a snowman. (If one squinted a little, it almost looked like Sir Fred!) |
|
Dr. Banting’s Namesake Of Sixty Years Ago Gave World System of Dieting Word “Banting” Passed Into English Language As Synonym for Dieting - It Was an Alleged Cure for Extreme Corpulence.The discovery of Insulin treatment for diabetes by Dr. Banting, of Toronto, falls curiously enough in the year of the 60th anniversary of the introduction of the word “banting” into the English language. So long ago as 1863, a William Banting of St. James Street, London, a funeral furnisher by trade … the signboard is still to be seen there – published a “Letter of Corpulence, addressed to the Public,” in which he set forth an alleged cure of extreme corpulence.
Today by one of the most curious scientific coincidences, ever known Dr. Banting has perfected his own system and cure for a similar disease to that which troubled his namesake sixty-three years ago. |
|
|
