Fernando E. Rodriguez Vargas
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Major Fernando E. Rodríguez Vargas, DDS (February 24, 1888–October 21, 1932) born in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, was an odontologist (dentist), scientist and a Major in the U.S. Army who discovered the bacteria which causes dental caries.[1]
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[edit] Early years
Rodríguez Vargas received his primary and secondary education in his hometown of Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. After he graduated from high school, he applied and was accepted to Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C.. There he earned his DDS degree in 1913.
On August 16, 1917, he joined the Army Dental Reserve Corps and on February 18, 1918 Rodríguez Vargas became an active member of the Army Dental Corps as a First Lieutenant. His first tour of service was in Puerto Rico, and on September 8, 1920, he was promoted to the rank of Captain.
[edit] Scientific work
In 1921, he was reassigned to the U.S. Army Medical School in Washington, D.C. Rodríguez Vargas was there as a student and an investigator of the bacteriological aspects of dental diseases. His research led him to discover the bacteria which causes dental caries. In December 1922, he published an original and fundamental work on the specific bacteriology of dental caries. His findings were published in the December issue of the Military Dental Journal. Rodríguez Vargas also developed the techniques and methods of analysis.
Since then, other scientists have used the findings of his investigations as the basis in the study of the bacteriology of dental caries. Rodríguez Vargas pursued a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University, which he earned in 1924. On September 14, 1929 , he was promoted to the rank of Major.[2]
Rodríguez Vargas was a member of the District of Columbia Dental Society, the International Association of Dental Research and a fellow of the American College of Dentists.
Major Fernando E. Rodríguez Vargas died on October 21, 1932 at the age of 44.
[edit] Honors
Rodríguez Vargas is the only Puerto Rican honored with a plaque and bust situated in front of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, D.C.
On March 16, 1940, the American College of Dentists presented a plaque to the Army Medical Service Graduate School (now Walter Reed Army Institute of Research) in memory of Army dental officer Major Fernando E. Rodriguez for his pioneer research showing the relationship between the Lactobacillus acidophilus and dental caries.
On August 31, 1944, the War Department of the United States issued General Order No. 71 which renamed the Army General Hospital of Fort Brooke located in the Ballaja grounds of the Castillo San Felipe del Morro (Fort San Felipe del Morro) in Old San Juan, the Rodriguez [161st] General Hospital, in honor of Major Rodriguez Vargas.
In the 1950s, the Puerto Rico College of Dental Surgeons honored Rodriguez Vargas with the establishment of the "Dr. Fernando E. Rodriguez Scientific Contest".
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Highlights in the History of U.S. Army Dentistry. See "16 March 1940" entry.
- ^ G. Scheiser (September 19, 1944). Rodriguez General Hospital. Armed Forces Medical Library, 1,2. Ref. No. #WZ1009R696.
[edit] References
- Highlights in the History of U.S. Army Dentistry. History of U.S. Army Dentistry. Army Dental Care System, U.S. Army. Retrieved on 2006-08-29.
[edit] External links
- Baralt J. Munoz (August 1969). "Tribute to Major Fernando E. Rodriguez. The life and scientific works of Major Fernando E. Rodriguez USA (D.C.)". Rev Odontol P R. 1 (2): 29-36. PMID: 5263555.
