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Proved handwashing saves mothers' lives; ridiculed and died in an asylum.

Proved that invisible organisms cause disease — and that we can beat them.

Identified the mosquito as the vector of yellow fever.

The silver stain that made neurons visible.

Founded neuroscience by drawing the neuron doctrine.

Invented psychoanalysis and the modern language of the unconscious.

Doctor-playwright who invented modern drama's subtext.

First great synthesiser of Chinese and Western medicine; his case records still teach clinicians.

Ophthalmologist whose novels ignited the Philippine revolution; executed at 35.

The only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different sciences.

Isolated a pancreatic hormone before the Toronto insulin team.

Dentist whose global survey of traditional diets tied refined food to physical degeneration.

Eradicated yellow fever from Rio and founded Brazilian public health.

Co-authored the founding text of anthroposophic medicine and opened its first clinic in Arlesheim.

Described a disease, its parasite and its vector single-handedly.

Opened Britain's first birth-control clinic; the charity still operates in 37 countries.

Penicillin; antibiotics have saved an estimated 200 million lives.

First Latin American science laureate; pituitary role in glucose metabolism.

Co-discovered insulin and sold the patent for one dollar.

Turned penicillin from curiosity into mass-manufactured medicine.

Acquired immune tolerance, the basis of transplantation.

Revived Kampo in Japan and secured its place inside the national health insurance system.