# Alice Augusta Ball > African American chemist (1892–1916) **Wikidata**: [Q16059113](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16059113) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Ball) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alice-augusta-ball ## Summary Alice Augusta Ball was an African American chemist known for her groundbreaking work in developing the first effective treatment for leprosy, derived from the chaulmoogra tree. Her research laid the foundation for modern treatments of the disease, though her contributions were largely unrecognized during her lifetime. ## Biography - Born: July 24, 1892, United States - Nationality: United States - Education: University of Washington (B.S., 1913; M.S., 1914); University of Hawaiʻi (M.S., 1915) - Known for: Developing the "Ball Method," an injectable treatment for leprosy using chaulmoogra oil derivatives - Employer(s): University of Hawaiʻi System - Field(s): Chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry ## Contributions Alice Augusta Ball is best known for her development of the "Ball Method," a water-soluble injectable form of chaulmoogra oil that became the most effective treatment for leprosy (Hansen’s disease) in the early 20th century. This method was used globally until the 1940s, when sulfone drugs were developed. Her work involved isolating ethyl esters of chaulmoogra oil acids, making them suitable for injection rather than the less effective oral or topical applications previously used. Ball’s technique was adopted by physicians and significantly improved the quality of life for thousands of leprosy patients, particularly in Hawaii and other Pacific regions. ## FAQs ### Who was Alice Augusta Ball? Alice Augusta Ball was an African American chemist who developed a revolutionary treatment for leprosy in the early 1900s while studying at the University of Hawaiʻi. Her work significantly advanced medical treatment for the disease during her time. ### What did Alice Augusta Ball discover? Ball discovered a method to make chaulmoogra oil, which was used to treat leprosy, water-soluble and suitable for injection. This became known as the "Ball Method" and was the most effective treatment for leprosy until the 1940s. ### Where did Alice Augusta Ball study? Ball earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from the University of Washington in 1913 and 1914, respectively. She then completed a second master’s degree at the University of Hawaiʻi in 1915. ### What was the impact of Alice Augusta Ball's work? Her development of the "Ball Method" allowed for the effective treatment of leprosy through injectable chaulmoogra oil derivatives, significantly improving outcomes for patients worldwide, particularly in leprosy treatment centers in Hawaii. ### What happened to Alice Augusta Ball's research after her death? After her untitely death in 1916, her research was initially credited to others, including Arthur Dean, who falsely claimed the method as his own. It wasn’t until decades later that her contributions were formally recognized. ## Why They Matter Alice Augusta Ball’s work fundamentally changed the treatment of leprosy, a disease that had devastating social and medical consequences. Her development of the "Ball Method" provided the first truly effective treatment, saving and improving countless lives. Despite her early death and initial lack of recognition, her legacy has since been acknowledged as foundational in the history of medicinal chemistry and public health. Her contributions are now seen as a critical step in the evolution of treatments for neglected tropical diseases. ## Notable For - Developing the "Ball Method," a groundbreaking treatment for leprosy using chaulmoogra oil derivatives - Being the first person to isolate ethyl esters of chaulmoogra oil, making it suitable for medical injection - Pioneering pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of Hawaiʻi - Posthumous recognition for her contributions to medicine and science - Being the first African American woman to receive a master’s degree from the University of Hawaiʻi ## Body ### Early Life Alice Augusta Ball was born on July 24, 1892, in the United States. She demonstrated academic excellence early in life and pursued higher education with a focus on chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences. ### Education Ball earned a Bachelor of Science in 1913 and a Master of Science in 1914 from the University of Washington. She then moved to Hawaiʻi, where she completed a second master’s degree in pharmaceutical chemistry from the University of Hawaiʻi in 1915. Her thesis focused on the chemistry of chaulmoogra oil, which became the basis of her most significant work. ### Career and Research At the University of Hawaiʻi, Ball worked under the supervision of Dr. Harry T. Hollmann and Professor William A. Bryan. Her research centered on chaulmoogra oil, which had been used as a traditional remedy for leprosy but was not effectively absorbed by the body. Ball successfully isolated ethyl esters of the oil, making it water-soluble and suitable for subcutaneous injection. This breakthrough became known as the "Ball Method." ### Contributions to Medicine The "Ball Method" was adopted by the Hawaii Board of Health and used extensively in leprosy treatment facilities, particularly at the Kalihi Hospital in Honolulu. It was the most effective treatment for leprosy until the development of sulfone drugs in the 1940s. Her work directly influenced public health outcomes for thousands of patients in leprosy-endemic regions. ### Posthumous Recognition Ball died on December 31, 1916, at the age of 24. After her death, credit for her method was initially taken by others, including chemist Arthur Dean, who falsely claimed the discovery. It wasn’t until the 1970s that her contributions were formally acknowledged. In 2007, the University of Hawaiʻi posthumously awarded her the Regents' Medal of Distinction, and in 2023, the New York Times published a belated obituary recognizing her achievements. ### Legacy Alice Augusta Ball’s work remains a cornerstone in the history of medicinal chemistry and public health. Her development of the "Ball Method" not only saved lives but also demonstrated the importance of recognizing contributions from historically marginalized scientists. Her story is now taught as part of broader efforts to highlight underrepresented figures in science. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/ball-alice-augusta-1892-1916/) 2. [Source](https://www.hawaii.edu/news/article.php?aId=1656) 3. [Source](https://sop.washington.edu/uwsop-alumni-legend-alice-ball-class-of-1914-solved-leprosy-riddle/) 4. [Source](https://oumnh.ox.ac.uk/learn-alice-ball) 5. [Source](https://staradvertiser.newspapers.com/image/258560765/?clipping_id=67016036&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjI1ODU2MDc2NSwiaWF0IjoxNzIxODQ3MTIwLCJleHAiOjE3MjE5MzM1MjB9.Lwr425esa2GZf84DhCqJOfJIjK_JDtOTdCklvDJWM_A) 6. The Chemical Constituents of Piper Methysticum; The Chemical Constituents of the Active Principle of the Ava Root 7. [Source](https://www.facebook.com/groups/709410852896325/permalink/834599663710776/)