Daniel Alcides Carrión

Daniel Alcides Carrión (August 13, 1857 – October 5, 1885) was a Peruvian medical student who is recognized primarily for his contributions to the field of medicine, particularly in the study of Oroya fever and verruga peruana, two endemic diseases in Peru.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Carrión was born in Cerro de Pasco, Peru. He was the son of Baltazar Carrión, a notable Peruvian lawyer, and Dolores García Navarro. He completed his early education in his hometown before moving to Lima to pursue his medical studies at the National University of San Marcos.

Medical Career[edit | edit source]

During his time at the National University of San Marcos, Carrión demonstrated a keen interest in the study of endemic diseases. His most significant contribution to medicine came when he deliberately inoculated himself with the blood of a patient suffering from Oroya fever, in an attempt to study the progression of the disease. This act of self-experimentation led to his death but provided valuable insights into the nature of the disease.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Carrión's self-sacrifice has been widely recognized in the medical community. In his honor, the disease Oroya fever is also known as Carrion's disease. Furthermore, the National University of San Marcos has named its medical school the "Daniel A. Carrión School of Human Medicine" in his honor. In Peru, National Doctor's Day is celebrated on October 5th, the anniversary of his death, in recognition of his contributions to medicine.