The Language of Life
How Henry Dale's Nobel-Winning Work Revolutionized Medicine
November 9, 1962
Introduction: A Moment of Honor in London
On November 9, 1962, an eminent 87-year-old British scientist stood before the British Physiological Society in London/Mill Hill to receive one of pharmacology's highest honors—the Schmiedeberg Plakette. This scientist, Sir Henry Hallett Dale, had already won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1936 for discoveries that would fundamentally change our understanding of how our bodies function. Yet this recognition from the German pharmacological community held special significance, representing not just personal achievement but the international collaboration of science transcending national boundaries. This article explores the revolutionary work that earned Dale this honor and how his insights into chemical neurotransmission laid foundations for modern medicine.
Did You Know?
The Schmiedeberg Plakette was awarded to Dale just years after World War II, demonstrating how science can build bridges where politics create divisions.
The Schmiedeberg Plakette, named after the pioneering pharmacologist Oswald Schmiedeberg, represents the highest honor in German pharmacology 6 . That it was awarded to a British scientist just years after World War II demonstrates how science can build bridges where politics create divisions. Dale's speech on this occasion wasn't merely an acceptance of honor—it was a celebration of international scientific cooperation and a reflection on a career that had transformed medicine.
The Historical Context: An Honor Among Pioneers
The Prestigious Schmiedeberg Plakette
The Schmiedeberg Plakette (Schmiedeberg Medal) is awarded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie (DGPT) for "outstanding scientific achievements in the field of pharmacology, clinical pharmacology, and toxicology" 6 . First awarded in 1956, it honors Oswald Schmiedeberg, who alongside his academic teacher Rudolf Buchheim established pharmacology as an independent scientific discipline.
Dale was part of an exceptional cohort of scientists recognized in 1962 that included:
- Carl Frederic Schmidt (Philadelphia)
- Göran Liljestrand (Stockholm)
- Corneille Heymans (Gent; Nobel Prize 1938)
- Sir Henry Dale (London; Nobel Prize 1936) 6
This grouping of international luminaries emphasized how pharmacological research had become a global endeavor, with discoveries building upon each other across national boundaries.
The Setting: British Physiological Society Meeting
The award ceremony took place at a regular meeting of the British Physiological Society, indicating how deeply interconnected the disciplines of physiology and pharmacology had become. Dale's work specifically bridged these two fields, showing how physiological processes were mediated through chemical signals.
Key Concepts and Theories: The Chemical Language of the Body
Chemical Neurotransmission
Before Dale's work, scientists understood that nerves communicated, but they believed this communication was primarily electrical in nature. Dale and his contemporaries demonstrated that many nerve signals were actually transmitted through chemical messengers—a paradigm shift that opened entirely new approaches to medicine.
Acetylcholine
Dale's most famous contribution was his work with acetylcholine, the first chemical identified as a neurotransmitter. His research demonstrated that this compound was responsible for transmitting signals between nerves and muscles, as well as between different nerve cells in various parts of the nervous system.
Histamine Research
Beyond acetylcholine, Dale conducted pioneering research on histamine, a compound that plays crucial roles in allergic reactions, inflammation, and gastric secretion. His 1955 work "A historical survey of knowledge of histamine and its functions" 4 documented how understanding this compound could lead to treatments for allergic conditions and digestive disorders.
The implications were enormous—if scientists could understand these chemical messengers, they could develop drugs to modify their actions, potentially treating countless diseases.
In-Depth Look: The Landmark Experiment That Changed Everything
The Step-by-Step Discovery
Isolation and Identification
Dale first isolated acetylcholine from a fungus called ergot in 1914. He noted its powerful effects on bodily functions.
Physiological Effects
He documented how tiny amounts of acetylcholine could dramatically lower blood pressure and stimulate muscle contractions.
Demonstration in Biological Systems
Together with Otto Loewi, Dale designed experiments showing that acetylcholine was actually released by nerve cells to transmit signals.
Proof of Neurotransmission
The most crucial evidence came from experiments showing that stimulating nerves released acetylcholine, and blocking this chemical prevented nerve transmission.
Results and Analysis
The results were clear and revolutionary: nerves communicate through chemicals, not just electricity. This discovery explained how:
- Different nerves could have different effects
- Drugs could selectively affect specific bodily functions
- The body could finely regulate its internal processes
| Experiment | Result | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure measurement | Acetylcholine dramatically lowered blood pressure | Suggested role in regulating circulation |
| Muscle contraction tests | Tiny amounts caused muscle contractions | Explained nerve-to-muscle signaling |
| Nerve stimulation studies | Acetylcholine released upon nerve stimulation | Proved chemical neurotransmission |
| Blockade experiments | Preventing acetylcholine action blocked nerve signals | Confirmed essential role in transmission |
The Scientist's Toolkit: Research Reagent Solutions
Dale's discoveries depended on carefully developed research tools and substances. These "research reagents" were essential for probing the body's chemical signaling systems.
| Reagent/Technique | Function in Research | Historical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Ergot alkaloids | Source of early acetylcholine samples | Initial identification of acetylcholine |
| Isolated tissue baths | Measured muscle contractions in response to chemicals | Quantified neurotransmitter effects |
| Blood pressure monitoring | Tracked cardiovascular effects of chemicals | Demonstrated physiological relevance |
| Nerve stimulation equipment | Electrically activated nerves to study transmission | Linked electrical and chemical signaling |
| Chemical blocking agents | Inhibited specific chemical processes | Tested necessity of suspected transmitters |
Advanced Techniques
Later in his career, Dale benefited from increasingly sophisticated approaches:
Bioassays
Using living tissues to detect and measure active substances
Chemical purification
Isolating increasingly pure compounds for testing
Physiological monitoring
Measuring blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle contractions with precision
The Scientific Legacy: From Laboratory to Medicine Cabinet
Transforming Drug Development
Dale's work didn't just advance theoretical knowledge—it launched entire categories of medicine:
Blood Pressure Medications
Drugs that affect neurotransmitters now treat hypertensionNeurological Medications
Treatments for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and other disordersMental Health Treatments
Antidepressants and antipsychotics that modify brain chemistryAllergy Medicines
Antihistamines that block the effects of histamineRecognition and Honors
Dale's achievements were recognized with numerous honors beyond the Schmiedeberg Plakette and Nobel Prize:
- Knighthood (1932)
- Order of Merit (1944)
- Presidency of the Royal Society (1940-1945)
- Directorship of the Wellcome Physiological Research Laboratories 4
| Year | Recipient | Research Focus | Institutional Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Carl Frederic Schmidt | Cardiovascular pharmacology | Philadelphia |
| 1962 | Göran Liljestrand | Respiratory physiology | Stockholm |
| 1962 | Corneille Heymans | Respiratory regulation | Gent |
| 1962 | Sir Henry Dale | Chemical neurotransmission | London |
| 1964 | Otto Krayer | Cardiovascular pharmacology | Boston |
| 1967 | Joshua Harold Burn | Autonomic pharmacology | Oxford |
| 1968 | Ulf von Euler | Catecholamine neurotransmitters | Stockholm |
Conclusion: A Legacy That Still Speaks Today
When Henry Dale received the Schmiedeberg Plakette in 1962, he wasn't just looking back on a lifetime of achievement—he was celebrating discoveries that would continue to bear fruit for decades to come. His speech before the British Physiological Society represented more than personal honor; it symbolized how scientific collaboration across nations and disciplines could unravel the mysteries of life itself.
"The chemical language of life that he helped decipher remains at the forefront of medical science, testament to a career dedicated to understanding how our bodies communicate at the most fundamental level."
Today, the principles Dale established continue to guide research into new treatments for neurological disorders, mental health conditions, and countless other ailments. The chemical language of life that he helped decipher remains at the forefront of medical science, testament to a career dedicated to understanding how our bodies communicate at the most fundamental level.
As we develop new drugs that target specific neurotransmitter systems, we still build upon the foundation that Dale established. His work reminds us that basic research—curiosity-driven science aimed at understanding rather than immediately applying—often yields the most practical benefits in the long run. The Schmiedeberg Plakette recognized not just a lifetime of achievement, but a legacy that would continue to heal long after its recipient was gone.