Archie Kalokerinos

Archie Kalokerinos (1927 – 2012) was an Australian physician and author, best known for his work in the field of child health and his advocacy for increased vitamin C supplementation in indigenous Australian communities. His work has been both celebrated and controversial, sparking discussions in the medical community about the role of vitamins in preventing and treating disease.

Early Life and Education

Archie Kalokerinos was born in Glen Innes, New South Wales, Australia, to Greek immigrant parents. He pursued his medical education at the University of Sydney, where he graduated with a degree in medicine and surgery in the early 1950s. After completing his education, Kalokerinos worked in various hospitals in Australia and the United Kingdom, gaining experience in different medical fields.

Career and Contributions

In the late 1960s, Kalokerinos volunteered to work in the Aboriginal community of Collarenebri, where he observed a high rate of infant mortality. He attributed this to a combination of malnutrition, infections, and a lack of adequate medical care. Kalokerinos believed that a deficiency in vitamin C was a significant factor contributing to the high mortality rate among the indigenous children. He began administering vitamin C to patients and claimed a dramatic decrease in the mortality rate, which he documented in his book "Every Second Child," published in 1974.

Kalokerinos's work in Collarenebri and his advocacy for vitamin C supplementation brought him both acclaim and criticism. Supporters hailed his efforts as groundbreaking, while skeptics questioned the scientific basis of his claims. Despite the controversy, Kalokerinos continued to promote vitamin C supplementation and worked to improve healthcare conditions for indigenous populations.

Later Life and Legacy

Throughout his later years, Kalokerinos continued to write and lecture on the importance of vitamins, particularly vitamin C, in preventing and treating diseases. He received several awards for his work, including an appointment to the Order of Australia.

Archie Kalokerinos passed away in 2012, leaving behind a legacy of passionate advocacy for improved healthcare for underprivileged communities. His work has inspired further research into the role of vitamins in health and disease prevention, although his specific claims about vitamin C and infant mortality remain a topic of debate.

Selected Publications

• Every Second Child (1974)
• Vitamin C, Nature's Miraculous Healing Missile (with Glenn Dettman, 1980)

Awards and Honors

• Order of Australia

See Also

• Vitamin C
• Indigenous Australians
• Child health
• Malnutrition