Jean Christa Tolhurst

Jean Christa Tolhurst was an Australian bacteriologist who discovered Mycobacterium ulcerans, the organism responsible for skin ulcers. She was an accomplished scientist who made critical contributions to medical microbiology, antibiotics, and chemotherapy under great physical hardship. After successful experimentation with animals, she injected herself with modified toxin for further testing of its effectiveness in humans. This study and others allowed her to obtain a Master of Science degree and led to her appointment as Senior Bacteriologist at the Alfred Hospital, which she held for the remainder of her life.

From 1948, onwards the demands of a busy clinical bacteriology laboratory and rheumatoid arthritis limited Tolhurst's ability to continue her research on little-known mycobacteria. and larger versions in 1963, 1972, and 1978. This comprehensive publication was highly valuable for Australian medical practitioners, so much so that the National Health and Medical Research Council issued it to them for free. though it never had wide circulation as it was unavailable for purchase in bookstores.

In 1961 the University of Melbourne awarded Tolhurst a Doctor of Science degree for her acclaimed published works.

Hobbies Outside of her working life, Tolhurst was an avid gardener with additional interests in music, the arts, and literature. She owned a small weekend and holiday cottage in the Dandenong hills of Victoria, where she cultivated around an acre of trees, shrubs, native plants, and a rock garden.

Later life By 1960 Tolhurst's arthritis had left her terribly crippled. Despite this, she continued to drive her own car, live in her own apartment, and work full-time. In 1962, after several debates with wary doctors, she travelled overseas for the first time and spent nearly six months in the United Kingdom. She visited friends, family, and several university departments, often in a wheelchair. She also spent three weeks visiting Switzerland, Austria, Venice, Florence, and Rome with her sister Margaret and brother-in-law Rupert Willis.

In November 1966, Tolhurst died of sudden apoplexy.