FIRST CLINICAL TRIAL OF INSULIN 101
lapse toward coma as the supply of extract waxed and
waned. The dramatic is always more impressive than the
routine. For us all it dispelled forever any doubt that
Banting really had something of value for the human dia-
betic. Here we passed from the possible to the factual (a
posse ad esse).
Early in May, 1922, the combined results of the inves-
tigations, both clinical and physiological, were presented
by the group at the meeting of the Association of Ameri-
can Physicians in Washington. This brief communication
contained sufficient evidence to indicate that a new era had
dawned for the diabetic, and the Association recognized it
in a thrilling and unprecedented manner by a rising vote
of thanks. I remember Woodyatt's pleasure; I remember
Joslin's joy. What others had tried many times before had
now succeeded.
The situation created in the medical world by the dis-
covery of insulin was, I think, unprecedented, and if un-
precedented methods were adopted to deal with it which
did not meet with immediate approval in some quarters,
time has shown the wisdom of our seniors. Insulin was
patented by Banting, Best and Collip and the patents were
assigned to the Governors of the University of Toronto.
And let me say here that none of the original investigators
profited by one penny from the patent. The patent has
been held by the University, a sacred trust for the benefit
of humanity.
The necessity for expanded clinical facilities was imme-
diate and pressing. With Professor Graham directing, a
clinic was formed to carry further the clinical investiga-
tion, with Banting, Fletcher and I taking charge of the
patients. We worked together literally night and day and
Professor Graham was not the least tireless of the group.
It was absorbing work and each day someone in the labo-
ratory or the clinic had a new fact to add a new hypothe-
sis to test. The pooling of facts and ideas was an impor-
tant element in the rapid progress in both laboratory and
clinic. By this time others were working too. and confir-
mation from our associated American clinics was by no
means the least factor in the crystallization of the evidence
which was to place diabetic treatment on a new and
sounder basis.
