In 1921, Frederick Banting and Charles Best at the University of Toronto isolated insulin, marking a breakthrough in diabetes treatment. This discovery provided the first effective therapy for diabetes mellitus, transforming it from a fatal disease to a manageable condition. The development of insulin therapy has since saved millions of lives and continues to be a cornerstone of diabetes management.

The discovery of insulin in 1921 revolutionized diabetes treatment and inspired poets to engage with themes of bodily fragility and medical advancements. This shift reshaped literary representations of health and identity, prompting reflections on the human condition in the interwar period.