Prof 'infects' crowd at lecture

More than 100 students packed Stiteler Hall Thursday night to hear Microbiology Professor Helen Davies lecture on "Infectious Diseases: What You Don't Know Can Kill You." Davies began her lecture with an anecdote about Alexander the Great. Prior to his departure to conquer the world, Aristotle advised him to "bury the dung and boil the water," according to Davies. "That's the reason his army was as successful as it was" in avoiding illness, she added. In order to help students remember which antibiotics are useful for each disease, Davies used a technique she commonly uses with her first- and second-year Medical students -- putting the words to a jingle. Roaring in laughter, students attending the lecture sang with Davies about different types of organisms to "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Davies also provided a song about streptococci to the tune of "She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain." Many students -- who frequently clapped during Davies' speech -- raved about the lecture. "It was hilarious," said College freshman Ariel Soiffer, who added that he hopes to take Davies' infectious diseases undergraduate General Honors seminar in the future. Discussing the major diseases for which most Americans are immunized, Davies noted that infants begin the immunization process at one or two months with a DPT shot. To emphasize the importance of immunization, she also showed slides of victims of many diseases, including tetanus, the measles and mumps -- all of which people can be immunized against. As slides displayed the "iron lungs" formerly used to treat polio, Davies said the disease -- which causes atrophy of the muscles and was documented in ancient Egypt -- has been virtually eliminated in the United States. Davies pointed out that smallpox has also been eliminated from the world. "We can eliminate these diseases which have only humans as their hosts," she said. One of the most contagious diseases is airborne tuberculosis, which must be treated with antibiotics for a minimum of six months. But Davies added that once people begin to feel better, they have a tendency to stop taking their medicine -- which can cause a relapse of the disease. After the audience uproariously applauded Davies at the end of her lecture, Nursing sophomore Stefan Maar said he wishes Davies taught an undergraduate Microbiology course. "I thought [her speech] was great," he added. "She was absolutely amazing."