Émile Pierre-Marie van Ermengem (1851–1932) was a Belgian bacteriologist who, in 1895, isolated Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism, from a piece of ham that had poisoned thirty-four people.[1]
Van Ermengem was born in Leuven on 15 August 1851. After studying in Berlin he became a professor at the University of Ghent. He became a corresponding member of the Académie royale de médecine de Belgique in 1887 and a full member in 1902, serving as secretary 1919–1932.[2]
He died in Ghent on 29 September 1932.[2] His sons were the writer Franz Hellens and the art critic François Maret.
Book: Novak, John S., Peck, Micheal W.; Juneja, Vijay K.; Johnson, Eric A. . amp . Fratamico, Pina M. . Bhunia, Arun K. . Smith, James L. . 2005. Foodborne pathogens: microbiology and molecular biology. Caister Academic Press. Wymondham. 1st. Chapter 19: Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium perfringens. 385. 978-1-904455-00-4.