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Dr. A. William Frankland, dressed in his favorite tie, sits in his beige armchair and tells a story of life that Hollywood producers can only dream of.
He was born twin in 1912; started medical school in the 1930s; held a military post in Singapore during the Second World War, which resulted in him being detained as a prisoner of war for more than three years; returned to England after the war and studied with Alexander Fleming, the man who discovered penicillin; became an allergist and developed a pollen count system to help people understand what triggered their allergic reactions.
All this happened in the 1950s and, in honor, the Allergy Clinic at St. Mary's Hospital in London was named in his honor.
At that time, he had more than half a century of career left.
"People often say," How come you live so long? ", He said," and I say, "It's just luck, nothing else."
At age 106 (and 1/2, he will remind you), Frankland still occasionally consults patients and contributes articles in journals. He likes to read medical journals and follow the field in which he has helped to pioneer.
Paul Watkins wrote a biography of his life entitled "From Hell Island to Hay Fever".
"[This] Watkins said, "An experience that few people will have the privilege of doing, even more, with Dr. Frankland, from this long and remarkable life during which he has witnessed so many changes, so many challenges and experiences really remarkable that most of us can not even understand. "
Beyond longevity, what distinguishes Frankland is the sharpness of his mind.
He is currently writing an article on the discovery of penicillin, based on his passage with Fleming.
He recognizes the sadness and the strong moments that he has known over the years, choosing to swallow his negative memories, his fear, and focus on happiness.
The memories of his life remain alive. He even says that he remembers his third birthday, when he planted too much cake and found himself sick.
"I'm so interested in the present and the future, but especially in the past, I suppose," said Frankland. "And it's nice to find some of the nice trips I've done."
A pioneer of allergies
In 1953, at St. Mary's Hospital in London, Frankland popularized the pollen counter, which is now used around the world to help doctors and patients understand allergy triggers. He did tests on himself to make his discoveries.
"I caused severe acute anaphylaxis at home from an insect," he explained. "Nowadays, you would not be allowed to do such an experiment. But for me, I was determined to discover [how] I have reacted to mosquitoes, fleas or any insect that bites me.
His institute focused on hay fever and his research quickly linked hay fever symptoms to pollen, changing everyone's understanding of the disease.
This desire to contribute to its expanding field is still there. Since his 100 years, he has written several articles for publication and is not quite done yet.
"I wrote four articles from 100 to 105 years old," he said. "Two of them are solos; the others were multiple authors. But now, of course, I'm 106, I'm going to write one more, and it's almost over. "
Keep the mind strong
Decreasing mental abilities over time is an aspect of aging feared by most people. But that does not mean it must be inevitable. Keeping the mind active and engaged late in life can actually help to generate new brain cells and new neural connections.
"When you're old, [there are] some of the things you can not do, "said Frankland from his chair. "I'm too old to run and stay fit that way. But I keep my brain all the time. And I read a lot of scientific journals and things that come to me every month, and some, even the British Medical Journal, once a week. "
In 2015, at the age of 103, Frankland received the Order of the British Empire for his significant contributions to the field of allergy research. So, how did he do all these years?
"I think what helps me is that if you lead a sensible life, do not smoke, do not eat too much and get some exercise. Be energetic in everything that is socially, psychologically and emotionally [that] you do. Take all these things in your stride. "
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