DEWITT, LYDIA MARIA ADAMS

ne Adams born Feb. 1, 1859, Flint, Mich., U.S. died March 10, 1928, Winter, Texas American experimental pathologist and investigator of the chemotherapy of tuberculosis. In 1878 she married Alton D. DeWitt, a teacher. Lydia DeWitt earned a medical degree at the University of Michigan in 1898 and taught anatomy there until 1908. She subsequently taught at Michigan State University (190810), Washington University (191012), and the University of Chicago (191226). DeWitt is best known for her studies of the pathology of tuberculosis. She analyzed the linkages of dyes and toxic metals for the potential treatment of tuberculosis, and her investigations set the standard for later studies that led to the successful treatment of the disease. She also conducted influential investigations on the anatomy of the nervous system and on public health practices. Her numerous publications include the coauthorship of the studies Chemotherapy of Tuberculosis (1893) and The Chemistry of Tuberculosis (1923).