Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine Building
| Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine Building | |
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Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine Building, 1992
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| Location | Clifton Street, Townsville CBD, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia |
| Coordinates | 19°15′12″S 146°48′45″E / 19.2532°S 146.8126°ECoordinates: 19°15′12″S 146°48′45″E / 19.2532°S 146.8126°E |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | c. 1912 - 1913 |
| Official name: James Cook University Department of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Building, Anton Breinl Centre, Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600889 |
| Significant period | 1913 (fabric) 1910s-1930 (historical) |
 Location of Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine Building in Queensland
Location of Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine Building in Queensland
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Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine Building is a heritage-listed laboratory at Clifton Street, Townsville CBD, City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It was built from c. 1912 to 1913. It is also known as Anton Breinl Centre and James Cook University Department of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Building. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.
The building that houses the Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine was opened on 28 June 1913 by the Queensland Governor Sir William MacGregor.
During the early years of the twentieth century there was much debate in Europe and Australia about the need for research into tropical diseases. British debate was motivated by economic and commercial imperatives rather than a concern for the health and welfare of the Empire. According to late nineteenth century thinking and beliefs the tropics were seen as unsuitable for white people because of confused notions about race, place and causes of disease. Certain diseases were believed to be related to place and climate although research was to show that disease was related to social and economic environment as well. These long held European ideas reinforced the belief that there was a need for medical research in order to ensure the economic success of European colonies in tropical regions.
In response to the thinking and concerns of the day research schools were opened in 1899 in London and Liverpool. Following Britain's lead European colonial powers also opened research institutes. At first Australia sent funds to the British institutes to support their research program but, by 1902, Australian medical practitioners were suggesting that a similar research facility be established in Australia.
The establishment of an Australian research centre was seen imperative after malaria parasites were discovered in blood samples in Cairns. Anglican Bishop Frodsham of Townsville led the campaign after a member of his staff died from an unknown disease. He gained local support and in 1907 Gordon Ross, Medical Superintendent of the First Townsville Hospital, recommended to the Department of Health that a pathologist be employed to research and treat patients suffering from a number of tropical diseases. Ross' plan was to discover the causes of disease in order to prevent further outbreaks.
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