Metz, Abraham L., M. D.

Submitted by Mike Miller

Metz, Abraham Louis, M. D., noted New Orleans chemist, educator and writer, was born in Chicago, Ill., April 22, 1864; son of Charles R. and Rosa (Baer) Metz. Dr. Metz is a self-educated man, that is to say, he has forged his way through institutions of learning and climbed to a position of security and eminence by his own unaided efforts. Through the use of that group of faculties termed "self-perfectives," he laid the foundation that enabled him to enter the New York college of pharmacy, from which he graduated with the degree of Ph. G. in 1887. At that time he was appointed instructor in pharmacy at Tulane university, and continued to fill that post until 1896, meantime--in 1889--securing the addition degree of Ph. M from the institution at which he was employed as an instructor. In 1893, he received the degree of M. D. at Tulane university, continuing all of this time, to fill the position of instructor in pharmacy. In 1896 he was made professor of chemistry and medical jurisprudence in the medical department, and has served in that capacity to the present time, also filling the position of professor of chemistry and metallurgy in the dental department, and head of the department of chemistry from 1905 to the present. Dr. Metz has also filled the office of city chemist of New Orleans since 1889; chemist for the Louisiana state board of health, 1889 to 1907; for the New Orleans board of health, 1897 to 1901, and 1905, to the present time. Dr. Metz has attracted the attention of the nation as an alienist and his scientific research into crime mysteries has sent men to prison and set men free. He was the first man in the South to apply the preciptin test for the absolute determination of human blood. This, in 1904, was a master stroke which gained for him high place in the ranks of criminologists. This test has cleared many crimes. Back of Dr. Metz's observations and achievements in this line he other triumphs. He is the progenitor of the pure food and sanitation crusades, later popularized and nationalized by Dr. Harvey W. Wiley. In 1889, when Dr. Metz took his post as city chemist, he instituted his campaign for pure milk, which has resulted in making New Orleans' dairies as sanitary and well conducted as any in the United States. Eternal vigilance has been the price of this achievement. His work against the yellow fever peril resulted in the removal of all danger from this infection, when in 1905 he organized the conference which resulted in Pres. Roosevelt's action in giving the matter over into the government's charge. Dr. Metz is a fellow of the A. A. S., member American Chemical society, American Pharmacy association, American Medical association, American Public Health association, etc., and is the author of many valuable contributions to the literature of his profession. July 9, 1890, Dr. Metz: was married to Miss Cecile Marx of New Orleans.

Source: Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 640-641. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.