Ferdinand Ritter von Hebra
Encyclopedia
Ferdinand Ritter von Hebra (Ferdinand Karl Franz Schwarzmann [Hebra]) was an Austrian
physician
and dermatologist, (7 September 1816, in Brno
, Moravia
– 5 August 1880 in Vienna
, Austria-Hungary
). He is known as the founder of the New Vienna School of Dermatology
, an important group of physicians who set the basis for modern dermatology.
Ferdinand von Hebra graduated in medicine
in 1841 at the University of Vienna
. He was influenced by Carl Freiherr von Rokitansky
, one of the founders of modern pathological anatomy.
Ferdinand von Hebra wrote one of the most influential books on dermatology of all times, the Atlas der Hautkrankeiten (Atlas of skin diseases), with phenomenal illustrations by two of the leading medical illustrator
s of Austria, Anton Elfinger
(1821-1864) and Carl Heitzmann
(1836-1896).
In 1844 Ferdinand von Hebra discovered the cause of scabies
. (http://www.whonamedit.com/doctor.cfm/708.html)
On July 30, 1865, von Hebra lured his colleague, Ignaz Semmelweis
, under the pretense of visiting one of Hebra's "new Institutes", to a Viennese insane asylum located in Lazarettgasse (Landes-Irren-Anstalt in der Lazarettgasse). As a physician, Semmelweis had unsuccessfully argued for years in favor of antiseptic procedures. Upon arrival at the insane asylum, Semmelweis was beaten and died two weeks later from a gangrenous wound, possibly caused by the beating.
Austrian Empire
The Austrian Empire was a modern era successor empire, which was centered on what is today's Austria and which officially lasted from 1804 to 1867. It was followed by the Empire of Austria-Hungary, whose proclamation was a diplomatic move that elevated Hungary's status within the Austrian Empire...
physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and dermatologist, (7 September 1816, in Brno
Brno
Brno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District...
, Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
– 5 August 1880 in Vienna
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...
, Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
). He is known as the founder of the New Vienna School of Dermatology
Vienna School of Dermatology
The Vienna School of Dermatology was a group of dermatologists affiliated to the University of Vienna who became an important reference in the development of modern dermatology in the second half of the 19th century...
, an important group of physicians who set the basis for modern dermatology.
Ferdinand von Hebra graduated in medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
in 1841 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...
. He was influenced by Carl Freiherr von Rokitansky
Carl Freiherr von Rokitansky
Baron Carl von Rokitansky , was a Bohemian physician, pathologist, humanist philosopher and liberal politician.-Medical career:...
, one of the founders of modern pathological anatomy.
Ferdinand von Hebra wrote one of the most influential books on dermatology of all times, the Atlas der Hautkrankeiten (Atlas of skin diseases), with phenomenal illustrations by two of the leading medical illustrator
Medical illustrator
A medical illustrator is a professional artist who interprets and creates visual material to help record and disseminate medical, biological and related knowledge. Medical illustrators not only produce such material but can also function as consultants and administrators within the field of...
s of Austria, Anton Elfinger
Anton Elfinger
Anton Elfinger was an Austrian physician and illustrator. He trained at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, and later studied medicine, earning his medical doctorate in 1845. Afterwards he was an assistant to dermatologist Ferdinand von Hebra in Vienna. From 1849 until 1858 he was an illustrator of...
(1821-1864) and Carl Heitzmann
Carl Heitzmann
Carl Heitzmann was an Austrian pathologist and dermatologist.Heitzmann was born in Vinkovci and studied medicine in Budapest and Vienna, earning his doctorate in 1859.After graduation he furthered his studies in Vienna under Franz Schuh , Ferdinand Hebra Carl Heitzmann (2 October 1836 6 December...
(1836-1896).
In 1844 Ferdinand von Hebra discovered the cause of scabies
Scabies
Scabies , known colloquially as the seven-year itch, is a contagious skin infection that occurs among humans and other animals. It is caused by a tiny and usually not directly visible parasite, the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which burrows under the host's skin, causing intense allergic itching...
. (http://www.whonamedit.com/doctor.cfm/708.html)
On July 30, 1865, von Hebra lured his colleague, Ignaz Semmelweis
Ignaz Semmelweis
Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis was a Hungarian physician now known as an early pioneer of antiseptic procedures. Described as the "savior of mothers", Semmelweis discovered that the incidence of puerperal fever could be drastically cut by the use of hand disinfection in obstetrical clinics...
, under the pretense of visiting one of Hebra's "new Institutes", to a Viennese insane asylum located in Lazarettgasse (Landes-Irren-Anstalt in der Lazarettgasse). As a physician, Semmelweis had unsuccessfully argued for years in favor of antiseptic procedures. Upon arrival at the insane asylum, Semmelweis was beaten and died two weeks later from a gangrenous wound, possibly caused by the beating.
External links
- Ferdinand von Hebra. WhoNamedIt
- Hebra Atlas. DermIS site in German, with many illustrations from the famous book and a biography of von Hebra.