Now, why should something that can mean “bland, mushy, unappetizing, or infantile” be a national treasure?
“In 1930, a group of three Canadian pediatricians — Dr. Frederick Tisdall, Dr. Theodore Drake, and Dr. Alan Brown — in concert with Ruth Herbert, a nutrition laboratory technician, and the aforementioned Harry Engel, co-developed Pablum. Everyone except for Mr. Engel was then working for Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. The name for the formula, taken from the Latin “pabulum”, basically means “foodstuff”. Well, this particular foodstuff was a major breakthrough in nutritional science. By ensuring children would have enough vitamin D in their diets, Pablum helped prevent rickets, a terrible childhood disease.” – Canadiana Connection
For short bios on the three Canadian doctors, check this out in readiness for the pop-quiz questions:
- Which of these doctors was more feared than loved, due to his autocratic style?
- Which doctor is credited with reducing the Hospital for Sick Kids mortality rate by 50% in just one year?
- Why is it always the same guy?
