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Arthur Lawrence Washburn (October 20, 1887 – January 7, 1965) was an American physician, researcher, and public health expert. He is best known for his participation in the Cannon-Washburn experiment on hunger physiology, his service in World War I, and his long career in medicine in New York City. Washburn made significant contributions to the fields of physiology, infectious diseases, and medical education throughout the first half of the 20th century.

Early life and education

Washburn was born on October 20, 1887, in New York City to Jacob Washburn and May Belinda Connett. He attended Trinity School in New York for his early education. Washburn was a descendant of William Washbourne, one of the four patentees of Hempstead, Long Island, in 1647.

Arthur Lawrence Washburn, Harvard Yearbook Photo, Class of 1910

He enrolled at Harvard College in 1906 and graduated with an A.B. degree in 1910. During his undergraduate years, Washburn attended a lecture by Richard Cabot on "Medicine as a Profession" at the Harvard Union, which greatly influenced his decision to pursue a medical career.

Washburn entered Harvard Medical School in 1910 and received his M.D. in 1915. While a medical student, he participated in the landmark Cannon-Washburn experiment on hunger physiology with physiologist Walter Bradford Cannon in 1912.

The Cannon-Washburn experiment

In 1912, Washburn volunteered to be the subject of an experiment conducted by Walter Bradford Cannon to investigate the relationship between stomach contractions and the sensation of hunger. The experiment involved Washburn swallowing a small balloon attached to a tube, which could be inflated in his stomach. As the device recorded stomach contractions, Washburn reported his subjective feelings of hunger.

an illustration depicting the Cannon-Washburn hunger experiment.

The results of this experiment, known as the Cannon-Washburn experiment, demonstrated a clear correlation between stomach contractions and the sensation of hunger. The study was published in the American Journal of Physiology and was the subject of the Harvey Society Lecture at Harvard in 1911. This work laid the foundation for future research on hunger, metabolism, and obesity.

Early career and public health work

After graduating from medical school, Washburn was appointed Charles Follen Folsom Teaching Fellow in Hygiene at Harvard Medical School. In this role, he taught second-year medical students and conducted research on infantile paralysis (polio) for the Massachusetts State Board of Health.

In 1915, Washburn was sent to Oskaloosa, Iowa, to address the city's typhoid epidemic, which at the time had the highest typhoid death rate in the United States. This experience provided him with valuable hands-on training in managing public health crises and controlling infectious diseases.

World War I service

In April 1916, Washburn traveled to Scotland, where he worked as an intern at the Royal Infirmary and the Edinburgh City Hospital. He was soon appointed Assistant Medical Superintendent of the Edinburgh City Hospital, where he was responsible for diagnosing meningitis cases that determined whether British battleships could sail from the Firth of Forth.

Washburn was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Medical Corps on September 19, 1917. After specialized training in infectious diseases and epidemiology in England, he was sent to France in December 1917. His wartime service included serving with British forces, including the North Midland Field Ambulance and the Sherwood Foresters regiment.

In July 1918, Washburn was transferred to the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) and participated in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel. Later, in September 1918, he was tasked with managing the influenza epidemic among replacement troops at St. Armand-Montrond.

Following the armistice, Washburn commanded the 3rd Army Mobile Laboratory with the Army of Occupation in Coblenz, Germany. He was discharged from the Army on May 2, 1919, at Camp Dix, New Jersey.

Career in New York City

After returning to civilian life, Washburn established a private medical practice in New York City on October 1, 1920. Throughout his career, he held various positions, including Instructor in Medicine at the New York Postgraduate Medical School and Hospital, associate attending physician at Willard Parker Hospital, and consultant at St. Luke's Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, and Bellevue Hospital. In 1952, he was appointed associate professor of clinical medicine at New York University Medical School.

Washburn was also involved in medical research, particularly in the field of poliomyelitis, continuing work he had begun as a medical student at Harvard.

Professional associations and honors

Washburn was active in numerous professional organizations, including:

• Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine
• Fellow of the American Medical Association
• Member of the New York County Medical Society
• Member of the Medical Society of the State of New York

He also served on the Board of Directors of Doctors Hospital.

Personal life

Washburn married Sona Jeanne deGot on August 16, 1923, in New York City. They had six children: five daughters and one son. Outside of his medical career, Washburn enjoyed outdoor activities such as horseback riding, camping, and fishing.

Later life and legacy

In the early 1960s, Washburn entered a period of semi-retirement but remained active in the medical field. He passed away on January 7, 1965, at Doctors Hospital in New York City at the age of 77.

Washburn's contributions to medicine, public health, and medical education left a lasting impact. His early work on hunger physiology continues to be cited in studies of metabolism and obesity, while his experiences in managing infectious diseases contributed to the development of modern epidemiological practices.