Scientific Ophthalmology Owes Its Beginnings to Short Life of Albrecht Von Graefe
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Eye on History Scientific ophthalmology owes its beginnings to short life of Albrecht von Graefe by Colin Kerr Feature Feature Despite his relatively short life, Graefe’s approach to ophthalmology and Albrecht von Graefe (1828-1870) laid gives an indication of his determination to the foundation for scientific become a brilliant teacher in the years ophthalmology through a brilliant ahead. It also indicates that this was a man with a waspish pen who did not suffer fools career. gladly. orn in Berlin “Ophthalmology is on May 28, most important,” wrote 1828, Graefe.“I visit regularly B the clinics of Sichel and Graefe died in the Desmarres.The first is same city on July 20 held three times weekly 1870, aged 42 (each time for four years. Graefe’s hours) and the latter five influence on times (each time for ophthalmology and three hours). Sichel’s German medicine is clinic treats a large all the more number of patients. Each time about 40 to 50 new remarkable as he and 200 to 300 old achieved so much patients are seen.This in a tragically short abundance of material career. His alone gives his clinic its discovery that value. His lectures, on glaucoma could be the other hand, are cured by boring, verbose, lack substance and resemble iridectomy, an idea more the chatter of old women than Albrecht von Graefe memorial situated in the Charité Berlin which was first published in 1857, scientific presentations....He is a firm confirmed his reputation as the most diagnostician, has a good routine but belongs He was appointed Extraordinary The journal was later renamed Albrecht brilliant ophthalmologist of his generation. in his disease concepts and therapeutic Professor of Ophthalmology in 1857 – the von Graefe's Archiv für Ophthalmologie, and is “This operation was for Graefe what the approaches entirely to the old Beer-Jager first German professor of diseases of the still published under the title of Graefe's Faust drama had been for Goethe,” writes school....” eye – before being elevated to full Archive for Clinical and Experimental professor in 1866. Ophthalmology, published by Springer. ophthalmology historian Julien Hirschberg. In another letter he writes of his One of Graefe’s basic tenets was that Educated at the French Gymnasium in experience working under Philippe Ricord ophthalmology is an integral part of medical Berlin, Graefe received his baccalaureate on (1800-1899). Final years “Ricord is obviously the most genial and education and should be equivalent to all September 29, 1843 at the age of 15 years In1861, Graefe developed tuberculosis, but original among all French physicians. Imagine other medical specialties. He also insisted and four months and soon commenced the condition went into remission; in the a man who never walks, but always half runs that each physician should study with equal university studies in philosophy, logic, next year, he married Anna Gräfin Knuth. and half dances, always laughs, never makes a diligence the diseases of the lungs, heart, natural sciences and anatomy. Theirs was a loving marriage that ended sour face, never utters a serious word, but eye, brain and other organs. He received his medical degree in Berlin prematurely when Graefe’s tuberculosis only jokes and whom everybody would call in August of 1847 and passed the medical returned; in 1870, aged only 42, Graefe a clown if he wouldn’t charm everybody Graefe’s archives state examination that winter with a succumbed to the disease. with his peculiar kindness and originality. certificate that read, "Excellent, also as a Hs contribution to the development of A memorial was raised in his honour on Ricord lives like a prince and spends every surgeon.” Hirschberg remarks that even at ophthalmic literature remains another May 22, 1882, at the crossing of the Luisen year around 80 to 100,000 Thaler which he this young age Graefe earned the respect enduring legacy. with the Schumannstrasse. Of Graefe’s makes. He is the most popular man in Paris.” and friendship of his teachers and In January of 1854, Graefe founded the achievement, Hirschberg wrote: Graefe returned to Berlin on November colleagues, which was to stand him in good journal Archiv für Ophthalmologie which “This now is the end.Alexander the 1, 1850, and, at the age of 22, founded his stead when he returned to the university as Hirschberg describes as the turning point in Great was 32 when he died after he had own clinic in Karlstrasse which he supported a teacher in later years. Graefe’s career and which “suddenly conquered the Orient leading Greece to until he died. Hirschberg notes that Graefe In the autumn of 1848, Graefe travelled elevated this 26-year-old man to the victory.Albrecht von Graefe was 42 years spent a great deal of money on operations to Prague where he came under the forefront of all living ophthalmologists. old and he left to mankind a reformed and and care for indigent patients whose eyes he influence of professor of ophthalmology, In the first issue, the majority of the 480 renewed ophthalmology. No weakness, no treated without charge. Carl Ferdinand von Arlt (1812-1887) who pages were written by Graefe. By the shortness of breath prevented him to In 1852, Graefe was to have a major influence on his work. publication of volume 16, he had immerse himself into the stale atmosphere submitted a thesis,“About the Activities of “Without Arlt,” he wrote,“I would not have contributed 2,500 pages. of an overcrowded outpatient clinic and to the Eye Muscles,” to the University of Berlin returned to Berlin as an ophthalmologist.” In the preface to the first issue Graefe give help as long as he could do it.” and was appointed assistant professor of After Prague, he continued his studies wrote:“Some colleagues may find it A fitting tribute to a remarkable man and surgery and ophthalmology. and observations in Paris,Vienna, and surprising that such a young investigator ophthalmologist. London. Despite his tendency to be forthright and would undertake such an endeavour. even sometimes cruel in his criticism of In 1849, the year before he returned to Indeed, I can assure the readers that I have Author’s note: For more about Graefe’s life, others, the majority of his colleagues were Berlin, Graefe, then aged 21, wrote to a done this not because I overestimate my please consult Volume 11 of Julius Hirschberg’s, unstinting in their praise of Graefe as a colleague about his experience visiting the capabilities; I have come to this conclusion The History of Ophthalmology. clinics of Sichel and Desmarres in Paris.This generous and fair-minded teacher only because nobody else seems to take letter reveals a fascinating insight into and colleague. the initiative.” 54.