Chapter 119: Tropical Disease Research Center
On January 4, 1868, in the academic and political hub of Berlin, Prussia, Ernst established a groundbreaking institution: the Tropical Disease Research Center. Despite his lack of medical expertise, Ernst recognized the importance of investing in medical research to tackle tropical diseases, especially in the context of Prussia's limited experience in this field.
The Tropical Disease Research Center's primary focus was to address tropical diseases. Prussia, being a mid-latitude country without overseas colonies, had minimal knowledge and research on tropical diseases compared to nations like Britain and France. In an era where even the study of common infectious diseases was in its infancy, Ernst aimed to make necessary technological and experiential advancements.
Ernst didn't expect immediate results from his research but recognized the importance of establishing technical expertise and experience in the field. He aimed to prevent being left far behind by other nations in medical advancements.
Despite the name, the research center's scope extended beyond the tropics. It comprised two parts: one in Berlin, which focused on traditional European diseases, and one in East Africa, dealing with tropical diseases.
Establishing the East African Tropical Disease Research Center came at a higher cost. Talented medical professionals with European education were essential, and they required competitive salaries and comprehensive insurance packages. Additionally, substantial investments were needed for advanced medical equipment, which couldn't be compromised if groundbreaking research was to occur.
Ernst also planned to purchase medical materials from around the world for reference. While some medicinal knowledge was rumored to exist in ancient Chinese medicine, Ernst was particularly interested in substances like penicillin and artemisinin. These materials would provide valuable insights for the research center.
Ernst's decision to set up a research center in East Africa instead of collecting samples and conducting research in Europe was driven by caution. He was aware of the reputational and safety risks of handling viruses from Africa in Europe. Ernst didn't want to take any chances, especially given Africa's historical association with deadly diseases like AIDS, Ebola, and Marburg.
In his previous life, Africa gained notoriety as a hotspot for virus outbreaks due to factors like diverse gene pools, poor sanitation, and ongoing wars. Ernst recognized that the conditions in his East African colony, marked by improved sanitation, efforts to reduce the breeding of diseases, and the drive to claim vast territories, might change the virus landscape in Africa.
He anticipated that future expansion into areas like the Mitumba Mountains in the Congo could reshape the pattern of diseases in Africa. While capturing the entire Congo remained uncertain, Ernst knew that the northwest territories would soon be under East African control, causing a shift in population distribution.
Ernst was cautious about the potential emergence of diseases in East Africa and believed that exterminating primates, which were known carriers of dangerous viruses, was a necessary precaution. With the Tropical Disease Research Center, he aimed to build the necessary expertise to deal with tropical diseases and minimize risks associated with research in East Africa.