Lucy Wills, the scientist who discovered with a spread how to save lives during pregnancy

Google celebrated this Friday with a doodle the anniversary of the Lucy Wills, hematologist, the British scientist whose research on anemia Pre-natal care for women around the world has changed forever.

Wills' pbadion for hematology led him to investigate severe form of anemia potentially fatal diseases that affected pregnant textile workers in Mumbai, India.

With the suspicion that poor nutrition was the cause, the scientist started to do a little experiences with how to feed a group of monkeys and mice in order to try a treatment for this pathology.

He tried different foods, but it was an edible dough known in the UK as "Cooking pot" the one who led him to reveal the mystery. The animals improved remarkably with their consumption and the secret was at stake. the yeast which contained the product.

Later, other research has shown that it was a more specific component: folic acid. Also known as vitamin B9, scientists have discovered that it avoids many complications for future mothers and prevent defects in newborns.

The treatment now It is recommended to pregnant women from everyone. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention"Folic acid is very important because it can help prevent some serious birth defects brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida) of the baby. "

Education for women

Wills was born on May 10, 1888 and spent much of her academic life in institutions at the forefront of education for women of her time: she first attended Cheltenham College, the 39, one of the first British residential schools to train students. woman in science and mathematics.

Then, in 1911, he received his first honors in Botany and Geology at Newnham College of the University of Cambridge, another institution at the forefront of women's education, followed by the London School of Medicine for Women , the first school in Britain to train women doctors.

Known for his sense of ironic humor, Wills loved climbing, cross-country skiing and cycling to get to work instead of driving. He spent much of his life traveling the world and working for guarantee the health of future mothers.