Alfred Jefferis Turner (3 October 1861, in

Canton Canton may refer to: Administrative division terminology * Canton (administrative division), territorial/administrative division in some countries, notably Switzerland * Township (Canada), known as ''canton'' in Canadian French Arts and ente ...

– 29 December 1947, in

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

, Australia) was a

pediatrician Pediatrics ( also spelled ''paediatrics'' or ''pædiatrics'') is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. In the United Kingdom, paediatrics covers many of their youth until th ...

and noted amateur

entomologist Entomology () is the scientific study of insects, a branch of zoology. In the past the term "insect" was less specific, and historically the definition of entomology would also include the study of animals in other arthropod groups, such as arach ...

. He was the son of missionary

Frederick Storrs-Turner Rev. Frederick Storrs Turner (31 May 1834 – 26 May 1916)''England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966, 1973-1995''. was a British clergyman and campaigner against the opium trade. Biography Frederick ...

. He introduced the use of

diphtheria Diphtheria is an infection caused by the bacterium '' Corynebacterium diphtheriae''. Most infections are asymptomatic or have a mild clinical course, but in some outbreaks more than 10% of those diagnosed with the disease may die. Signs and s ...

antitoxin An antitoxin is an antibody with the ability to neutralize a specific toxin. Antitoxins are produced by certain animals, plants, and bacteria in response to toxin exposure. Although they are most effective in neutralizing toxins, they can also ...

to Australia in 1895. He was known by the nickname "Gentle Annie". Doctor Turner was a resident of Dauphin Terrace, Highgate Hill, Brisbane. The Jefferis Turner Centre for mothercraft was opened in 1952 as part of the Queensland Government's Maternal and Child Welfare program. In 1986, its role was changed to provide short term respite care for intellectually disabled children. It is located in the heritage building

Fairy Knoll Fairy Knoll is a heritage-listed villa at 2A Robertson Road, Eastern Heights, City of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by George Brockwell Gill and built from to 1952 by Worley & Whitehead. It was also known as Jefferis Turner ...

in Ipswich.

Medical career

Doctor Jefferis Turner studied medicine at

University College London , mottoeng = Let all come who by merit deserve the most reward , established = , type = Public research university , endowment = £143 million (2020) , budget = � ...

graduating with first class honours. He emigrated to Australia in 1888 and the next year became first medical officer of the

Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) was a hospital for children in Herston, Brisbane, Australia. RCH was located next to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital before it was demolished and the land was used to build the Surgical, Treatment and ...

. His clinical research and influence helped to reduce the number of children's deaths in Queensland. He made notable contributions in the areas of diphtheria anti-toxin,

hookworm Hookworms are intestinal, blood-feeding, parasitic roundworms that cause types of infection known as helminthiases. Hookworm infection is found in many parts of the world, and is common in areas with poor access to adequate water, sanitation ...

-induced anaemia,

lead poisoning Lead poisoning, also known as plumbism and saturnism, is a type of metal poisoning caused by lead in the body. The brain is the most sensitive. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, constipation, headaches, irritability, memory problems, inferti ...

, improvement of the quality of milk supply for children, health education for expectant and nursing mothers, and the establishment of antenatal clinics in Queensland. Doctor Turner played a pivotal role in combating the

bubonic plague Bubonic plague is one of three types of plague caused by the plague bacterium ('' Yersinia pestis''). One to seven days after exposure to the bacteria, flu-like symptoms develop. These symptoms include fever, headaches, and vomiting, as ...

epidemic of 1900 and in making the notification of

tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections show no symptoms, in w ...

compulsory in 1904. Due to his mild manner and love of children, he acquired the nickname of 'Gentle Annie'.

Entomological activity

Doctor Alfred Jefferis Turner in the Bunya Mountains 1925 small

In addition to his medical career, Turner was a noted amateur entomologist specialising in Lepidoptera. He left a collection of over 50,000 moths to the

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is South Africa's central and premier scientific research and development organisation. It was established by an act of parliament in 1945 and is situated on its own campus in the cit ...

, Canberra.

References

External links

Australian entomologists Australian taxonomists 01 1861 births 1947 deaths Australian paediatricians 19th-century Australian zoologists 20th-century Australian zoologists {{med-bio-stub