A Pioneer in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Hansen Disease Treatment
Alice Augusta Ball, an extraordinary pharmaceutical chemist and trailblazer, was born in 1892 in Seattle, Washington, into a family of notable accomplishments. Her grandfather, J.P. Ball, was a renowned daguerreotype photographer, while her father, James P. Ball, Jr., was a promising lawyer. In 1903, the family temporarily relocated to Hawaii for health reasons but returned to Seattle in 1905 after the untimely death of her grandfather.
Demonstrating remarkable academic aptitude, Alice Ball pursued higher education at the University of Washington, where she earned two degrees: one in pharmaceutical chemistry in 1912 and another in pharmacy in 1914. Her academic journey then led her to the College of Hawaii (now the University of Hawaii), where she enrolled as a graduate student in chemistry in the fall of 1914. Just a year later, on June 1, 1915, Ball made history as the first African American woman to graduate from the institution with a Master of Science degree in chemistry. During the same academic year, she also became the first woman to teach chemistry at the university, further cementing her role as a pioneer.
While at the University of Hawaii, Ball undertook groundbreaking research under the guidance of her major adviser. Her assigned project focused on studying chaulmoogra oil’s effects on patients suffering from Hansen disease (leprosy). At the time, chaulmoogra oil was known for its potential therapeutic properties but was difficult to administer effectively due to its poor absorption and unpleasant taste. Ball’s innovative research led to the development of an injectable form of chaulmoogra oil, which proved to be a highly effective treatment for Hansen’s disease. This method, later known as the “Ball Method,” revolutionized the treatment of the disease and brought relief to countless patients.
Tragically, Ball’s promising career was cut short when she fell ill during her research. Working under immense pressure to perfect her injectable chaulmoogra oil formulation, she reportedly became physically exhausted. She returned to Seattle and passed away on December 31, 1916, at the young age of 24. Her death was attributed to injuries sustained from inhaling chlorine gas during a classroom demonstration in Honolulu. Despite her significant contributions, Alice Ball did not receive proper recognition for her work during her lifetime. After her death, the chairman of the University of Hawaii’s Chemistry Department continued her research and received much of the credit for its success. The “Ball Method” remained the most effective treatment for Hansen’s disease until the 1940s and was still referenced in medical literature as late as 1999 for its use in remote areas.
Over time, historians and researchers began to uncover and acknowledge Ball’s pivotal role in developing this life-saving treatment. In 2000, the University of Hawaii posthumously honored Alice Augusta Ball as one of its most distinguished graduates, ensuring that her legacy as a scientist, innovator, and trailblazer would not be forgotten. Alice Augusta Ball’s story is one of brilliance, perseverance, and innovation. Despite her brief life, her contributions to pharmaceutical chemistry and medicine have left an enduring impact on public health and serve as an inspiration for generations to come.