Politics and Physiology: Hermann Rein and the Nobel Prize 1933Â

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Politics and physiology: Hermann Rein and the Nobel Prize 1933–1953 Daan, Serge; Hansson, Nils

Published in: The Journal of General Physiology

DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2014.273847

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Citation for published version (APA): Daan, S., & Hansson, N. (2014). Politics and physiology: Hermann Rein and the Nobel Prize 1933–1953. The Journal of General Physiology, 592(14), 2911-2914. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2014.273847

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CLASSICAL PERSPECTIVES

Politics and physiology: the University, among them famous scholars the journal from German libraries (Hossfeld Hermann Rein and the Nobel such as the physicist Max Born and the & Olsson, 2006). They claimed that Nature Prize 1933–1953 mathematician Emmy Noether, were sacked had criticized National Socialist Germany. anddrivenintoexile,asnotedinNature in However, that action was only one brick Nils Hansson1 and Serge Daan2 1937: in a comprehensive strategy by the German 1Department of Medical Ethics and History government to isolate German science. On of Medicine, University Medical Center The actual losses can now be 30 January 1937, Adolf Hitler prohibited Gottingen,¨ Germany estimated with fair accuracy. The all German citizens from accepting a 2Centre for Behaviour and Neurosciences, number of teachers known to Nobel Prize. This was in reaction to the University of Groningen, Netherlands have been displaced from the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize in E-mail: [email protected] universities and seats of higher 1935 to the pacifist and concentration learning [in Germany] is 1,684; camp inmate Carl von Ossietzky (Crawford, that is about fifteen per cent of 2000). However, apparently, it was still Today, more than sixty years after he passed the scholars of Germany. [ . . . ] No away, Hermann Rein (1898–1953) still is possible to propose candidates who worked institution has suffered more than in Germany for the Nobel Prize. For a familiar name in the history of physio- the University of Gottingen¨ by the logy. Senior physiologists may remember example, the German physiologist Albrecht loss of distinguished members of its Bethe nominated the physiologist Erich von his widespread textbook Einfuhrung¨ in die staff.[...]OnJune30,visitorsto Physiologie des Menschen, (Rein, 1936) first Holst in 1938. Bethe knew about Hitler’s Gottingen¨ will celebrate a unique prohibition, but he tried to construct a published in 1936, which was followed series of losses of learning, liberty up by many new editions (Bretschneider, solution. The nomination reads: ‘Although and life. (Anonymous, 1937, p. Holst is assistant at the Zoological Institute 1997). Some have heard of the scientific 703). Hermann Rein Prize, which was established in Gottingen,¨ and he is to my knowledge to honour him, and if you visit the university On 30 June 1937, the University of not a German citizen [Holst was born in town of Gottingen,¨ where Rein worked Gottingen¨ received international attention Riga and he had studied in Danzig]. So, if he from 1932 to 1952, you might cross the on its 200th anniversary. Even if a shouldbechosen,hemayaccepttheNobel Hermann-Rein-Straße. Not much is known large number of the best scientists Prize. It is of no doubt that he is one of the about the fact that Hermann Rein was had left Gottingen¨ by then, some of most talented and successful physiologists one of few physiologists in Germany, who, those who remained were internationally of the younger generation’ [Nobel Archive before, during and after the Second World acknowledged, such as Hermann Rein: (NA); Bethe nomination von Holst, 1938]. War, was portrayed as an international Did the blacklisting of the Nobel Prize have [T]here still remain in Gottingen¨ representative of good German science. direct effects on Hermann Rein’s chances to men of considerable distinction Thus, he was one of the most nominated be awarded a Nobel Prize? (to mention only four outstanding German physiologists for the Nobel Prize In recent years, the Nobel Prize has names: [Arnold] Eucken, physical in the first half of the twentieth century. gained scholarly attention among medical chemist; [Adolf] Windaus, organic This essay aims at shedding some light historians (for example Crawford, 2000; chemist and Nobel prizeman; on the interface between physiology and Norrby, 2010; Hansson & Schagen, 2014). [Ludwig] Prandtl, hydrodynamics; politics in Germany during 1933–1953. The NA for Physiology or Medicine holds [Hermann] Rein, physiologist), TheexampleofascholarfromGottingen¨ correspondence, reports and nominations

The Journal of Physiology who are continuing in the face is particularly suitable for such an over- of senior and junior physicians from around of difficulties to maintain a high view. After Adolf Hitler’s Machtubernahme¨ the world. One should bear in mind that standard of scientific research and in 1933, the Georg-August-University of the number of Nobel Prize nominations of teaching. (Lambert, 1937, p. 930) Gottingen¨ was – compared to its reputation a researcher does not really reflect his or in the first third of the twentieth century – One year before this debate, German her importance, but it might give a hint no longer a strong international academic scientists and politicians started a campaign of his or her reputation, given that the centre.Jewishprofessorsandlecturersat against Nature, which succeeded in banning number is high and that the nominators are

Hermann Rein (1898–1953) was one of the most renowned German physiologists from 1933 to 1953. During this period, he was nominated 12 times for the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. Drawing on documents from the Archive of the Nobel Assembly for Physiology or Medicine in Stockholm, an article series in Nature and Rein’s private diary, this overview reconstructs and discusses Rein’s reputation in the scientific community and his most important scientific innovations: the ‘Thermostromuhr’ and the ‘Gaswechselschreiber’, and the insights obtained with them. It suggests that at least some outstanding scientists in the ‘Third Reich’ were not as isolated from the international science arena as has been assumed, in spite of the fact that the National Socialist government prohibited Nature in German libraries and German scholars to accept the Nobel Prize.

C 2014 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology C 2014 The Physiological Society DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2014.273847 2912 Classical Perspectives J Physiol 592.14

Table 1. Nominations of Hermann Rein

Year Nominators of Rein Summary of motivation

1933 L. Aschoff, Freiburg Work on blood distribution in higher organisms. 1933 C. Noeggerath, Freiburg Work on blood distribution in higher organisms. 1935 H. Schottmuller,¨ Hamburg Work on the Thermostromuhr and the Gaswechselschreiber. 1936 L. Aschoff, Freiburg Work on the Thermostromuhr for measuring blood flow in vessels, and blood distribution. 1936 M. Ficker, Sao˜ Paulo Work on the blood circulation. 1936 W. Nonnenbruch, Prague Work on the Thermostromuhr for measuring blood flow in vessels, and blood distribution. 1936 H. Schottmuller,¨ Hamburg Work on the Thermostromuhr for measuring blood flow in vessels, and the registration of gas exchange. 1936 K. Burker,¨ Gießen Work on blood distribution, gas exchange and blood gases. 1938 C. Hiller, Cincinatti Achievement in registering the blood circulation. 1951 L. Brauer, Munich Regulation of blood circulation and the liver influence on the heart. 1952 H. Schulten, Cologne The physiology of blood circulation. 1952 M. Schneider, Cologne The physiology of blood circulation.

internationally spread. The relatively high point. It allowed also the simultaneous animal. CO2 measurements were based number for Rein (12) is not exceptional if determination of blood flow at different on differences in pressure and hence one takes the nomination number of inter- places in the circulation without opening velocity in two equal partitions of a nationally renowned Nobel Prize laureates any vessel. Rein applied the technique to a breathing air sample, from one of which such as Charles Scott Sherrington into series of physiological questions focused on the CO2 was removed by passing the account who was nominated 134 times blood circulation, and achieved important air over NaOH. Simultaneously, relative (Bartholomew, 2010, p. 32). results. He found that the liver functions O2 density in the respiration air was as a blood depot, secondary only to the recorded via its cooling effect on a heated spleen (Grab et al. 1929). In humans the wire. The combined arrangement allowed Why was Herman Rein nominated for the Nobel Prize? liver even exceeds the spleen in this role. the continuous quantitative assessment of Furthermore, he studied the regulation of gas exchange and hence also respiratory Hermann Rein was particularly inter- coronary blood flow and found that it is not quotient in respiration air of both animals ested in the body’s responses to changing solely determined by a passive response to and humans. Rein used it to assess for environmental conditions. In his time, pressure, but in addition by local vasomotor the first time the effect of the auto- the common approach to understanding control (Rein, 1931). Rein’s lab observed nomous nervous system on whole animal the physiology of organs was to isolate that blood flow through the kidney remains metabolism (Mertens & Rein, 1938). The them from the body and observe their regulated at a constant velocity when arterial approach later became popular as ‘indirect responses to environmental changes, such blood pressure is increased (Hartmann calorimetry’, although other sensors for as in temperature and pressure, while kept et al. 1937). These are merely examples of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations alive outside the animal. Rein was convinced the variety of novel insights in circulation became involved. In the 12 Nobel Prize that the physiology of the body and its yielded by his method. The accuracy of the nominations, ranging from 1933 to 1952, responses could not be reconstructed from Thermostromuhr was debated in the 1950s, these two achievements were stressed. Thus, the measurements on isolated organs. In his but after some amendments concerning the nomination by the bacteriologist and view, processes such as blood circulation heat transfer through the vessel wall and pathologist Hugo Schottmuller¨ in 1936 is and metabolism had to be quantified in the the pulsatile nature of blood flow, the characteristic: intact organism. technique was considered useful, and the Rein, trained as a medical doctor, main conclusions drawn by Rein on the basis To me, there is no doubt that only combined his knowledge of human physio- of his measurements were acknowledged Professor Dr. Hermann Rein [ . . . ] logy in health and disease with an inter- (Janssen et al. 1957). By now the method can be considered for this pre- est in physics and chemistry to design is obsolete, as modern techniques for blood stigeful award. He is known for innovative measurement techniques that flow measurements such as laser Doppler two ingenious inventions [ . . . ]. If could be applied in the intact organism. velocimetryhavebecomestateofthe these inventions really can do what An important technique was the ‘Thermo- art. Professor Dr. Rein suggests, it is no stromuhr’, a method to measure blood The other technical innovation mentioned doubt that they are of the highest flow without opening the vessels, originally in the Nobel nominations for Rein is scientific and practical value. published in 1928 (Rein, 1928). It was the continuous recording of gas exchange [...](NA;Schottmuller,¨ 1936; see based on local heating of a blood with the ‘Gaswechselschreiber’ (Rein, 1933). table 1) vessel by diathermy and recording the This technique was aimed at the precise temperature difference between the blood assessment of CO2 production and O2 The nominators succeeded in getting upstream and downstream from the heating consumption, again in the whole intact the Nobel Committee for Physiology or

C 2014 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology C 2014 The Physiological Society J Physiol 592.14 Classical Perspectives 2913

Medicine interested in both. It chose to Hermann Rein’s political views have by blacklisting renowned international evaluate Hermann Rein in three reports, not yet been thoroughly examined by institutions. written in 1933, 1936 and 1952. The first two historians. His pacifistic ideas are trans- reports were written by the pharmacologist parent throughout in his wartime diary. Goran¨ Liljestrand, the Secretary of the Rein and his five collaborators were able References Nobel Committee from 1918 to 1960. to carry on fundamental physiological Bartholomew JR (2010). How to join the Liljestrand noted that he appreciated Rein’s research in his institute in Gottingen¨ scientific mainstream: East Asian scientists research, but that he was not willing to throughout the Second World War, despite and Nobel Prizes. EASTM 31, 25–43. give him a full recommendation for the the fact that he was not a member of Bretschneider K-T (1997). Friedrich Hermann Prize. In the concluding remark of his the National Socialist German Workers’ Rein: Wissenschaftler in Deutschland und report on 14 July 1936, Liljestrand put Party (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Physiologe in Gottingen¨ in den Jahren 1932 – Rein on a wait-and-see-list by saying: ‘In Arbeiterpartei). The State Aviation Mini- 1952. Diss. med. Gottingen.¨ my opinion, Rein is a researcher of the stry had given him special status as a Crawford E (2000). German scientists and Hitler’s vendetta against the Nobel Prizes. future [ . . . ] His work will surely get a new professor in human aviation physio- HSPBD 31, 37–53. evaluation soon’ (NA; Liljestrand, 1936). In logy to train students in this area of Grab W, Janssen S & Rein H (1929). Uber¨ die 1951, Rein was nominated by the famous medicine. This probably allowed him a Grosse¨ der Leberdurchblutung. ZBiol89, surgeon Ludolph Brauer, who had himself privileged situation. In the memoirs of the 324–331. been nominated earlier for his studies on contemporary Swedish physiologist Georg Hansson N & Schagen U (2014). In Stockholm open thorax surgery (Hansson & Schagen, Kahlson (1901–1982), it is briefly stated hatte man offenbar irgendwelche 2014). In his nomination, Brauer stressed that ‘Rein was no Nazi’ (Kahlson, 1981, p. Gegenbewegung’- Ferdinand Sauerbruch Rein’s studies on the regulation of blood 27), but somehow politically ‘untouchable’. (1875–1951) und der Nobelpreis. [Accepted circulation and the influence of the liver Kahlson’s view is interesting, as he had for publication in NTM – Zeitschrift fur¨ on the heart. One year later, the physio- worked under Rein for a couple of months Geschichte der Wissenschaften, Technik und Medizin]. logist Ulf S. von Euler (who later became in Gottingen¨ in 1934 and 1936, and he Hoßfeld U & Olsson L (2006). Freedom of the the Nobel Prize laureate for Physiology or was one of few Swedish professors who mind got Nature banned by Nazis. Nature Medicine in 1970), was chosen as reviewer. strongly and unreservedly criticized both 443, 271. Euler was far more critical than Liljestrand Adolf Hitler as well as National Socialism Janssen S, Aschoff J, Baumgartner G, Grupp G, had been in the 1930s. In his 13 page in numerous publications and speeches Hierholzer K, Hille H, Oberdorf A, Rummel report in 1952, Euler wrote that Rein’s two before, during and after the Second World W & Wever R (1957). Vergleich und Kritik main achievements had not been sufficiently War. verschiedener Durchblutungs Messmethoden. verified, and that their significance was Although he never received the Nobel Pflugers¨ Arch Gesamte Physiol 264, 198–216. very unclear (NA; Euler, 1952). That was Prize, Rein’s international reputation Hartmann H, Ørskov S & Rein H (1937). Die the last opinion of the Nobel Committee remained sound in the immediate post- Gefassreaktionen¨ der Niere im Verlaufe allgemeiner Kreislauf-Regulationsvorgange.¨ concerning Rein, who died 1 year later, in war years. For example, the physiologist Pflugers¨ Arch 238, 239–250. 1953. and Nobel Prize laureate Sir Henry Dale Kahlson G (1981). GK minns.Broderna¨ The deciding factors why Rein was not argued, that the key persons to build up Ekstrands tryckeri AB, Lund. considered prize-worthy ultimately were, German science after 1945 should include Lambert JD (1937). Centenary of the University that he could not be seen as ‘the person the pharmacologist Wolfgang Heubner, the of Gottingen¨ from a correspondent. Nature who shall have made the most important physicist Max Planck, the chemist Otto 139, 701–703. discovery within the domain of physiology Hahn, and Hermann Rein (Schleiermacher Mertens O & Rein H (1938). Die Beeinflussung or medicine’ (quote from the will of Alfred & Schagen, 2008). In 1946, Rein became des respiratorischen Stoffwechsel durch das Nobel, written in 1895). Political reasons Rector of the Georg-August University autonome Nervensystem. Pflugers¨ Arch 241, apparently did not play a major role in Nobel in Gottingen,¨ and then played a major 402–426. Norrby E (2010). Nobel Prizes and Life Sciences. Committee discussions – at least according role in the foundation of both the World Scientific Publishing Company, to the protocols. However, Rein suspected Max Planck Society (1946) and the Singapore. that political factors had been essential. In Deutsche Forschungsrat, the precursor Rein H (1928). Die Thermostromuhr. Ein November 1943, after a visit in Stockholm, of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Verfahren zur fortlaufenden Messung der where he had met Goran¨ Liljestrand and (1949). In 1952 he was appointed head of mittleren absoluten Durchflussmengen in others, Rein wrote in his diary: the Physiology Institute within the Max uneroffneten¨ Gefassen¨ in situ. ZBiol87, Planck institute for medical research in 394–403. What good is it to get insured Heidelberg. He died on 14 May 1953. Rein H (1931). Die Physiologie der The biography of Hermann Rein shows Herz-Kranz-Gefasse.¨ ZBiol92, 101–127. in a dinner speech that you look ¨ that at least some German physiologists Rein H (1933). Ein Gaswechselschreiber. Uber at me as the ‘leader’ of European Versuche zur fortlaufenden Registrierung des were not as isolated from the inter- physiology [ . . . ]? What good is it respiratorischen Gaswechsels an Mensch und if you celebrate me and say that I national science arena as it has been Tier. Arch Exp Pathol Pharmakol 171, would be a Nobel laureate under assumed, in spite of the fact that politicians 363–402. different political constellations? in National Socialist Germany actively Rein H (1936). Einfuhrung¨ in die Physiologie des (Rein, 1943, family archive) built walls around German researchers Menschen. J. Springer, Berlin.

C 2014 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology C 2014 The Physiological Society 2914 Classical Perspectives J Physiol 592.14

Schleiermacher S & Schagen U (2008). Additional information Acknowledgements Medizinische Forschung als Pseudowissenschaft. Selbstreinigungsrituale Competing interests We thank Dr Hans Rein for copies of the HermannReindiary,thetworeviewersforhelpful der Medizin nach dem Nurnberger¨ The authors have no conflict of interests. Arzteprozess.¨ In Pseudowissenschaft. commentsonanearlierversionofthispaperand Konzeptionen von Nichtwissenschaftlichkeit in the Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine, Medicinska Nobelinstitutet, Nobels Vag¨ 1, Solna, der Wissenschaftsgeschichte, ed. Rupnow D, Funding Lipphardt V, Thiel J & Wessely C, pp. Sweden, for giving access to files on Hermann 251–278. Suhrkamp Taschenbuch Verl., None. Rein. Frankfurt am Main.

C 2014 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology C 2014 The Physiological Society