Carl Wedl
Encyclopedia
Carl Wedl was an Austrian pathologist who was a native of Vienna
.
In 1841 he obtained his doctorate in Vienna, and subsequently practiced medicine in Ischl
and Salzburg
. In 1844 he took a scientific journey to France and England, afterwards returning to Vienna, where he performed histological research.
With assistance from Karl Rokitansky (1804-1878), he received his habilitation in 1849. In 1853 he became an associate professor, and in 1872 was appointed professor of histology
at the University of Vienna
. Some of his well-known students were Heinrich Auspitz
(1834-1885), Moritz Kaposi (1837-1902) and Salomon Stricker
(1834-1898).
Wedl is largely remembered for his work in microscopic pathology
and histology
. He made contributions in the fields of helminthology
, dermatology
and ophthalmology
, and was one of the first physicians to apply cell theory
to pathology of the eye. The eponymous "Wedl cells" are named after him, which are dysplastic
bladder-like fibers in the corneal
tissue
of the eye.
Wedl was the author of numerous books, a few of which have been translated into English. He died on September 21, 1891, bequeathing his estate to the Vienna Academy of Sciences
.
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
.
In 1841 he obtained his doctorate in Vienna, and subsequently practiced medicine in Ischl
Bad Ischl
Bad Ischl is a spa town in Austria. It lies in the southern part of Upper Austria, at the Traun River in the centre of the Salzkammergut region. The town consists of the Katastralgemeinden Ahorn, Bad Ischl, Haiden, Jainzen, Kaltenbach, Lauffen, Lindau, Pfandl, Perneck, Reiterndorf and Rettenbach...
and Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
. In 1844 he took a scientific journey to France and England, afterwards returning to Vienna, where he performed histological research.
With assistance from Karl Rokitansky (1804-1878), he received his habilitation in 1849. In 1853 he became an associate professor, and in 1872 was appointed professor of histology
Histology
Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...
at the University of Vienna
University of Vienna
The University of Vienna is a public university located in Vienna, Austria. It was founded by Duke Rudolph IV in 1365 and is the oldest university in the German-speaking world...
. Some of his well-known students were Heinrich Auspitz
Heinrich Auspitz
Heinrich Auspitz was an Austrian dermatologist. Trained at the University of Vienna, he specialised in dermatology and syphilis...
(1834-1885), Moritz Kaposi (1837-1902) and Salomon Stricker
Salomon Stricker
Salomon Stricker – 2 April 1898) was an Austrian pathologist and histologist who was born in Waag-Neustadtl, which is now part of Slovakia. He studied at the University of Vienna, and subsequently became a research assistant at the Institute of Physiology under Ernst Wilhelm von Brücke...
(1834-1898).
Wedl is largely remembered for his work in microscopic pathology
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
and histology
Histology
Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...
. He made contributions in the fields of helminthology
Helminthology
Helminthology is the study of worms, especially parasitic worms. This field deals with the study of their taxonomy and the effect on their hosts....
, dermatology
Dermatology
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails....
and ophthalmology
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
, and was one of the first physicians to apply cell theory
Cell theory
Cell theory refers to the idea that cells are the basic unit of structure in every living thing. Development of this theory during the mid 17th century was made possible by advances in microscopy. This theory is one of the foundations of biology...
to pathology of the eye. The eponymous "Wedl cells" are named after him, which are dysplastic
Dysplasia
Dysplasia , is a term used in pathology to refer to an abnormality of development. This generally consists of an expansion of immature cells, with a corresponding decrease in the number and location of mature cells. Dysplasia is often indicative of an early neoplastic process...
bladder-like fibers in the corneal
Cornea
The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. Together with the lens, the cornea refracts light, with the cornea accounting for approximately two-thirds of the eye's total optical power. In humans, the refractive power of the cornea is...
tissue
Stroma (animal tissue)
In animal tissue, stroma refers to the connective, supportive framework of a biological cell, tissue, or organ.The stroma in animal tissue is contrasted with the parenchyma.Examples include:* Stroma of iris...
of the eye.
Wedl was the author of numerous books, a few of which have been translated into English. He died on September 21, 1891, bequeathing his estate to the Vienna Academy of Sciences
Austrian Academy of Sciences
The Austrian Academy of Sciences is a legal entity under the special protection of the Federal Republic of Austria. According to the statutes of the Academy its mission is to promote the sciences and humanities in every respect and in every field, particularly in fundamental research...
.
Written works
- Beiträge zur Lehre von den Hämatozoen, 1850
- Beiträge zur Anatomie des zweibuckeligen Kameeles (Camelus bactrianus),1852 (with Franz Müller)
- Grundzüge der pathologischen Histologie, 1854 (Rudiments of Pathological Histology)
- Über das Nervensystem der Nematoden 1855
- Über einige Nematoden, 1856
- Charakteristik mehrerer Grössentheils neuer Tänien, 1856
- Über ein in den Mägen des Rindes Vorkommendes Epiphyt 1858
- Anatomische Beobachtungen über Trematoden, 1858
- Über die bedeutung der in den schalen von manchen acephalen und gasteropoden vorkommenden canäle', 1859
- Beiträge zur Pathologie der Blutgefässe, 1859
- Über einen im Zahnbein und Knochen keimenden Pilz, 1864
- Atlas zur Pathologie der Zähne, 1869 (Atlas to the pathology of the teeth), (with Moriz HeiderMoriz HeiderMoriz Heider was an Austrian dentist who was born in Vienna.He studied medicine in Vienna, where he was an assistant to Georg Carabelli...
) - Über die Haut-Sensibilitätsbezirke der einzelnen Rückenmarksnervenpaare, 1869 (with Ludwig TürckLudwig TürckLudwig Türck was an Austrian neurologist who was a native of Vienna. In 1836 he obtained his medical doctorate from the University of Vienna, where in 1864 he became a full professor....
) - Histologische Mittheilungen. Zur Anatomie der Milz,1871
- Pathologie der Zähne, mit besonderer Rücksicht auf Anatomie und Physiologie, 1872 (The pathology of the teeth, with special reference to their anatomy and physiology)
- Zur pathologischen Anatomie des Glaukoms, 1882
- Der Aberglaube und die Naturwissenschaften, 1883
- Pathologische Anatomie des Auges, 1886