Contribution of Olga Mechnykova to medical science

Abstract

When conducting historical and scientific research, the figures of women who made a significant contribution to science appear quite often. Women scientists were engaged not only in research activities. They took part in scientific expeditions, learned future specialists, carried out active organizational and popularization work. Sometimes women became authors of new progressive ideas and founded their own scientific schools. In this connection scientific activities of female investigators like M. V. Pavlova, V. Y. Bilai, O. I. Smirnova-Zamkova, S. M. Pereyaslavtseva, O. M. Khokhol, K. G. Beltiukova are highlighted. A special attention worth married couples engaged in joint research activities. A clear examples of such cooperation (French physicists Marie and Pierre Curie, native couple Oleksandr and Natalia Yanata) are mentioned. Meanwhile women often helped their husbands by sharing scientific interests. Among them the wife of Ilya Mechnikov – Olga Mykolaivna – takes a rightful place. It should be noted that very often the role of women in performing scientific research was out from the attention of historians of science. And Olga Mechnikova is a classic example of this. Meanwhile, this woman not only helped and supported the work of her husband, but also conducted active research activities herself. Her life was completely devoted to science and people. The proposed article presents the life path of Olga Mechnikova – a wife, faithful friend and colleague, an attentive biographer of her husband. Olga Mykolaivna’s contribution to the practical implementation of Ilya Mechnikov’s achievements and conducting joint scientific research with him in the field of developing methods of biological control of pests in agricultural plants, ways of overcoming tuberculosis diseases, and the initiation of gnotobiology are shown. The practical activity of Olga Mykolaivna in clarifying the role of phagocytes in the destruction of bacteria during vaccination is highlighted. Particular attention is paid to the medical practice of Olga Mechnikova in providing medical care to both Ukrainian peasants and patients of the Pasteur Institute. The authors of the article did not avoid another sphere of activity of Olga Mechnikova, which is related to the field of art. The role of this extraordinary personality as a capable sculptor and artist is emphasized.