Banting House National Historic Site
Although the Banting House in London, Ontario,
Canada is not very conspicuous, it is famous for being the site
of the birthplace of insulin, where Sir Frederick Banting would
awake at 2 AM in the morning of October 31, 1920 with the
incredible idea that would lead to the discovery of insulin.
Banting would live here for just ten months, that started in
July, 1920, where he tried to start a medical practice before he
returned to Toronto to start his research on insulin in the
spring of 1921. Currently, the Banting House National Historic
Site of Canada is home to the London branch of the Canadian
Diabetes Association, with a marvelous museum located there that
is devoted to the life of Banting, and would become a National
Historic Site of Canada in 1997. The museum houses displays that
are devoted to Banting as a co-discover of insulin, artist, war
hero and doctor, with excellent relics that include his
bed-frame he would wake up with his fabulous idea, many medals
that included his Memorial Cross, a copy of his Nobel prize,
knighthood and outstanding collection of original artwork by
him. The website for the Diabetes association is a
magnificent and informative site that is excellent for those
just learning about this disease that offers exciting ideas for
healthy living and a new kind of lifestyle that is perfect for
those with this terrible disease. The story about Banting's
enlistment and subsequent travel to the warfront is outstanding,
but the amazing feats of bravery and heroism that he showed
while at the front suggests that this was a great man, destined
for greater things. He was wounded by shell fire in 1918, and as
he crawled back to his lines, he would stop and attend to the
wounded men he passed, actually taking seventeen hours to get
back to his front, and when they were sending him back to a
hospital, he would plead to them to leave him here to continue
his work, with officials applauding his energy and pluck.
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