!!!Medizin
Medicine: In Austria the scientific study of medicine began to
flourish after the founding of Vienna University in 1365 when the
Padua-born physician, Galeazzo de Sancta Sophia, and his Austrian
pupil, J. Aygel, carried out the first pioneering dissections of human
bodies. Paracelsus, the reformer of classical medicine, also had
strong ties to Austria. H. Guarinoni is regarded as the pioneer of
health care and pastoral medicine in the Baroque Age. The personal
physician of Empress Maria Theresia, P. Sorbait, distinguished himself
by his efforts during the plague epidemic and during the Turkish siege
of Vienna. Van Swieten, another well-known physician, prepared the
ground for the founding of the Vienna School of Medicine, which made
Austrian achievements in the field of medicine renowned all over the
globe.
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In 1820 a College of Medicine and Surgery was set up at Graz, which
constituted the predecessor of the medical faculty founded at Graz
University in 1863. The heads of the Department of Anatomy were such
outstanding physicians as J. Planner, E. Zuckerkandl, M. Holl (who was
one of the first to teach the anatomy of the body surface;
Holl´s depression is named after him) and A. Hafferl; heads of
the Department of Pathology were R. Heschl, H. Kundrat, H. Eppinger,
H. Albrecht, H. Beitzke (reformed research and teaching methods from
1922) and T. Konschegg. In 1863 A. Rollett became professor of
physiology and histology at Graz University. He introduced exact
empirical methods in the field of medical research. Internal medicine
was taught by M. Koerner, O. Rembold, F. Kraus, H. Lorenz etc. Some of
the most notable physicians of that time, however, were to be found in
the field of surgery, e.g. K. v. Rzehaczek (from 1851) (one of
the pioneers of the concept of clinical indications), A. Woelfler, K.
Nicoladoni, V. Hacker, H. Haberer, P. Walzel-Wiesentreu (one of the
most outstanding representatives of the Graz School of Medicine).
K. v. Rokitansky, the son of the well-known anatomist Rokitansky,
and A. v. Rosthorn lectured at the Teaching Hospital Department
of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. From 1903 important progress was made
in endocrinological research by E. Knauer who was one of the first to
test a transplantation of ovaries on animals. Well-known
dermatologists were E. Lipp, A. Jarisch, R. Matzenauer (who studied
the transmission of congenital syphilis from mother to unborn child)
etc. In 1874 R. Krafft-Ebing was the first to hold a chair of
psychiatry; in the years to follow J. Wagner-Jauregg, G. Anton
(invented the corpuscullosum and cisternal punctures), F. Hartmann, O.
Kauders and J. Reisch succeeded to this chair. Heads of the Department
of Ophthalmology, which has become famous for its successes in the
field of ophthalmic surgery, were K. Blodig, I. Schnabel (research on
the glaucoma), M. Borysiekiewicz, F. Dimmer and M. Salzmann. In 1872
K. Emele obtained the chair of laryngology; in 1875 J. Kessel became
professor of otology. These two subjects were merged into a single
discipline, called otolaryngology, by J. Habermann, who discovered
occupationally-induced hardness of hearing. Under G. Hofer this
department became one of the best-equipped in Europe. V.
Ebner-Rofenstein, O. Drasch, H. Rabl and Carla Zawisch worked at the
Department of Histology and Embryology. A. Tachamer, T. Escherisch
(the founder of the Austrian neonatal and child welfare system), M.
Pfaundler, J. Langer, F. Hamburger (developed a form of the tuberculin
test), A. Reuss, H. Koch and W. Lorenz worked at the Paedriatic
Department. V. Tanzer held the first chair of dentistry; he was joined
by A. Bleichsteiner, who set up his own department in 1902, F. and R.
Trauner. The Department of Medical Chemistry achieved a world-wide
reputation through the work of F. Pregl. Professors of hygiene were
Max Gruber, W. Prausnitz (Atlas und Lehrbuch der Hygiene, 1903;
greatly improved the treatment and after-care given to tuberculosis
patients), H. Reichel, W. Schmied-Lange and H. M. Jettmar.
Notable pharmacologists were F. Clar (improved the professional
organization of physicians), K. v. Schroff, J. Moeller, O. Loewi
(Nobel prize), W. Blume and H. Haeusler. Founded in 1912, the Graz
Provincial Hospital is considered one of the most modern hospitals in
Europe. In 1955 the first Austrian Clinic of Radiology was opened at
Graz. In 1963 the first team of Austrian physicians that had been
trained to use a heart-lung machine started working at Graz. V. Fossel
greatly influenced the development of medicine, particularly in the
field of folk medicine.
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Many scientists and professors of medicine started their career at
Innsbruck University. Many of them went from there to Graz and then to
Vienna. Gaudenz v. Sala, who became the first professor of medicine at
Innsbruck University, held his introductory lecture in 1674. In the
course of time new chairs and training centres were introduced, e.g. a
chair of surgery in 1735 (College of Medicine and Surgery, 1783), a
chair of obstetrics in 1754, as well as a training centre for midwives
in 1763. In 1869 a medical faculty in the modern sense of the term was
founded, which provided complete training in medicine at the
University Training Hospital, opened in 1888. In the course of time
several new medical units were added to the faculty, e.g. the
Department of Psychiatry and Neurology in 1894, the Department of
Dermatology and Syphilis (1894), the Department of Laryngology and
Otology (1894), the Paediatric Department (1898), the Department of
Orthopaedics (1914-1915), a Department of Radiology (1918-1919), as
well as a number of new operation theatres (1920). In 1846 K. v.
Dantscher became the first to hold a chair of anatomy; successors to
this chair were M. Holl (the originator of modern anatomy at Innsbruck
University), W. Roux, F. Hochstetter, R. Fick, F. Sieglbauer (Lehrbuch
der normalen Anatomie des Menschen, 1927) and G. Sauser. From 1878 M.
Dietl, M. Loewit (significant discoveries in the field of
haematological research), H. Pfeiffer and the endocrinologist G. Bayer
(Klein. Lehrbuch der Inkretologie, 1927; Nebennieren, 1929) taught
experimental pathology (department founded in 1887). From 1869 F.
Schott, G. Pommer (whose discoveries became the centre-piece of the
Innsbruck Medical Faculty), E. v. Hibler ("Untersuchungen ueber
die pathogenen Anaèroben", 1908, one of the fundamental works
in this field), F. Werdt, B. Gruber and F. J. Lang (works on the
pathology of bones, on blood diseases and tissue cultures) were
professors of pathological anatomy. From 1875 physiology was taught by
M. v. Vintschgau, E. T. Bruecke and F. Scheminzky. In 1873 G.
Oellacher founded the Department of Histology and Embryology, at which
L. Kerschner (works on biogenesis), H. Rabl, S. Schumacher, (whose
textbook on histology is still popular with both professors and
students) and J. Mathis started to work in 1903. The subject of
internal medicine was taught by J. Laschan v. Solstein, M. Koerner
(champion of "hydraulic diagnosis"), N. Ortner, R. Schmidt and A.
Steyrer (who made his department the centre of the medical faculty).
E. Albert firmly advocated and taught antiseptic treatment in surgery,
whereas K. Nicoladioni concentrated on orthopaedic surgery and V.
Hacker developed endoscopic techniques. H. Schloffer introduced
asepsis while H. Haberer greatly improved gastro-intestinal surgery.
Headed by E. Ranzi, the Innsbruck Department of Surgery gained a
worldwide reputation. Upon Ranzi´s death B. Breitner continued
his work. G. Anton was the first to head the newly established
Department of Psychiatry and Neurology; he was succeeded by C. Mayer
(after whom the finger-thumb reflex is named), H. Scharfetter and H.
Urban. In 1847 W. Lange opened a gynaecological ward which was not
integrated into the Innsbruck Medical Faculty until 1869. F. Schauta
started his career at the Department of Gynaecology where E.
Ehrendorfer introduced the teachings of the Vienna gynaecologist, T.
Billroth; other notable professors in this field were P. Mathes, H.
Eymer, H. Zacherl, J. Amreich, T. Antoine and S. Tapfer. Ophthalmology
was taught by W. Czermak (whose textbook "Die augenaerztlichen
Operationen" is still used today) and F. Dimmer. In 1893 the chairs of
otolaryngology were held by G. Juffinger, H. Herzog, W. Krainz (an
expert in the fields of histology and bone diseases) and L. Hoerbst.
E. Lang founded the Department of Dermatology and consequently became
its first head in 1873; he was succeeded by A. Jarisch, J. H.
Rille ("Die Schaedigung der Haut durch Berufs- und gewerbl. Arbeit", 3
vols., 1922-1926), L. Merk ("Die Hauterscheinungen der Pellagra",
1909), W. Kerl, L. Kumer (in cooperation with Kerl, Kumer introduced
discoveries made by dermatologists of the Vienna Medical Faculty at
Innsbruck) and J. Konrad. Forensic medicine was taught at the
Department of Hygiene. In 1869 E. v. Hofmann founded a forensic
department in its own right (Hofmann´s textbook was reprinted by
A. Haberda in 1927); Hofmann was succeeded in his function as head of
this department by J. Kratter, P. Dittrich (editor of a four-volume
textbook), C. Ipsen (made revolutionary discoveries in the field of
forensic toxicology) and K. Meixner. In 1897 A. Lode became the head
of the Department of Hygiene; he was succeeded by F. Weigmann und W.
Hauptmann. In 1836 E. A. Michael became the first professor of
applied medical chemistry at Innsbruck; he was joined in this
discipline by R. Maly, O. Senhofer, W. F. Loebisch, A. Windaus of
Freiburg (Nobel prize winner), F. Pregl (Nobel prize winner) and the
German H. Fischer (Nobel prize winner, managed to prove that
haematoidin was identical with bilirubin while he was working at the
Innsbruck Medical Faculty). The chairs at the Department of
Pharmacology were held by A. Tschurtschenthaler, J. Moeller, J.
Nevinny and A. Jarisch. The granting of a professorship to Johann Loos
was crucial for the establishment of a Paediatric Department in 1896.
In 1905 one of the first European Departments of Dentistry was founded
by B. Mayrhofer (Lehrbuch der Zahnkrankheiten, 1912; editor of a
journal of dentistry and oral surgery ("Zeitschrift fuer Mund- und
Kieferchirurgie") from 1914, editor of "Die Ergebnisse der gesamten
Zahnheilkunde" from 1910) at Innsbruck University. In the course of
time some teaching hospital departments were significantly enlarged
(Surgery in 1981, Neurology and Gynaecology in 1987). A whole range of
outstanding professors made the Innsbruck Medical Faculty renowned
throughout the world (B. Breitner and R. Margreiter, surgery; Franz
Gschnitzer, thorax surgery; Anton Hittmair, haematology; Siegfried
Tapfer, gynaecology; Paul Wiflingseder and Heribert Hussl, plastic
surgery; Herbert Braunsteiner, internal medicine; Gustav Sauser,
anatomy and histology; Werner Platzer, anatomy; Wolfgang Baumgartner,
surgical geriatrics).
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In the provinces which did not have a university, senior physicians
were responsible for training their young colleagues at provincial and
district hospitals. Until 1873 Colleges of Medicine and Surgery at
which physicians were trained existed at Linz, Klagenfurt and
Innsbruck. The Upper Austrian physician, A. Brenner was the originator
of modern surgery and founder of the Linz Voluntary Ambulance Service,
as well as a champion of physical exercise. Since the 17%%sup th/%
century the province of Salzburg has had a medical service and from
1803 to 1805 a medical faculty existed at the old Salzburg University.
However, this faculty was replaced by a College of Medicine and
Surgery, the surgical ward of which gained a particularly high
reputation. R. v. Karajan paved the way for modern surgery to be
accepted at Salzburg while C. Varnschein introduced an ambulance
service in the province. At Klagenfurt C. v. Vest (b. 1720)
founded numerous institutions of hygiene. Notable Carinthian
physicians were O. Purtscher, who decisively contributed to the high
reputation of the provincial hospital´s ophthalmic ward, and the
outstanding physiologist and botanist, J. v. Burger
(d. 1879), who brought about the building of a new mental
hospital. In the Tirol J. Ennemoser taught animal magnetism or
mesmerism, as well as the basic principle of biogenetics (half a
century before this principle was officially introduced by Haeckel)
and tried hard to make psychiatry a university subject. Thanks to him
lunatic asylums are today referred to as mental hospitals. The most
outstanding Vorarlbergian physician was Josef Lipburger
(d. 1923), a pupil of Nicoladoni and a notable surgeon. T.
Scherrer (b. 1878) introduced an ambulance service in Vorarlberg.
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F. Strohmayr ("Physikal.-Medizin. Topographie der Kreisstadt St.
Poelten"), some members of the Managetta Family, H. Sauer (surgeon,
worked at Krems) and W. Winternitz (balneologist) ranked with the most
outstanding Lower Austrian physicians. The most notable physicians of
Burgenland were J. Hyrtl, L. Batthyány-Strattmann
(ophthalmologist) and M. Benedikt (neurologist).
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Medical services became well organized soon after their introduction (
Health Care), a fact that was particularly due to the adoption of the
Allgemeines Sozialversicherungsgesetz, which introduced reforms in the
field of Health Insurance. In 1867 the Austrian Society of the Red
Cross was founded, which was later extended by the Youth Red Cross,
Austrian. In 1870 the Sanitaetsrat, Oberster was founded. Balneology
has always played a significant role in Austria. ( Spas). During the
20%%sup th/% century great attention has been paid to specific
problems of public health ( Blood Donation, Vaccinations, Cancer
Research etc. ). The Austrian Hospitals have been extremely active
and successful in medical research. The Austrian physicians have their
own medical association, the ( Austrian Medical Associations).
!Literature
H. Glaser, Oesterreichs grosse Aerzte, 1935; idem, Wiens
grosse Aerzte, 1949; Oesterreichs Aerzte als Helfer der Menschheit
(Notring-Jahrbuch 1957); Oesterreichs Naturforscher, Aerzte und
Techniker, 1957; E. Lesky, Die Wiener Medizinische Schule im
19. Jahrhundert, %%sup 2/%1978; K. Freisitzer et al. (ed.),
Tradition und Herausforderung, 400 Jahre Universitaet Graz, 1985;
K. H. Spitzy (ed.), Gesellschaft der Aerzte in Wien, 1837-1987,
1987.
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