Medicine through Biographies

von Virchow, Rudolf Ludwig Karl; "Father of Pathology"

born, October 13, 1821, Schivelbein, Pomerania, Prussia, died September 5, 1902, Berlin

German pathologist, anthropologist, archaeologist and statesman, one of the most prominent physicians of the 19th century. He pioneered the modern concept of pathological processes by his application of the cell theory to explain the effects of disease in the organs and tissues of the body. He gave the first descriptions of necrosis, apoplexy, agglutination thrombus, leukemia, formulated the first theories for pathogenesis of inflammation and neoplasia. Moreover, he founded the first research institute and published the first journal in the field of pathology, campaigned vigorously for social reforms and contributed to the development of Anthropology as a modern science.

His main works are:

• Mittelheilungen über die Typhus-Epidemie, (1848)
• Die Cellularpathologie, (1858), Russian translation by A. Polunin – 1859, English translation -1860.
• Handbuch Media: der speciellen Pathologie und Therapie, (1854-62)
• Vorlesungen über Pathologie, (1862-72)
• Die krankhaften Geschwülste, (1863-67)
• Gegen den Antisemitismus, (1880)