Jacobus Schroeder van der Kolk
Encyclopedia
Jacobus Ludovicus Conradus Schroeder van der Kolk (Leeuwarden, 14 April 1797 - Utrecht
, 1 May 1862) was a Dutch anatomist
and physiologist
, and an influential researcher into the causes of epilepsy
and mental illness
.
His father's surname was Van der Kolk, but he added his mother's maiden name "Schroeder" when her line threatened to die out. He studied medicine at the University of Groningen
in the Northern Netherlands, where he graduated in 1820. He then practiced medicine in the town of Hoorn
, but was soon appointed at the Amsterdam
Buitengasthuis hospital. Here he was influenced by the ideas of Claude François Lallemand
, and developed his ideas with regards to the etiology of mental illness, particularly the concept that mental illness is a disease than can be treated. He was appointed professor of anatomy
and physiology
at the University of Utrecht in 1826, where he taught gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. In Utrecht, his pupils included Franciscus Donders
, Hermann Snellen
and Barend Joseph Stokvis
.
He published over 100 papers on various medical topics. In 1859 he delivered the Sydenham lecture at the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries
in London.
His best known work is on the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Autopsy
studies on the brains of people who had suffered of epilepsy in life showed changes in the medulla oblongata
(part of the brainstem), and Schroeder van der Kolk stated that seizures must therefore originate in this area. Several decades later it was discovered that seizures arise from the cerebral cortex
. He conducted other studies in neuroanatomy
, such as into the organisation of the spinal cord
.
Other important work was in the nature and causes of mental illness. Apart from Lallemand he was also influenced by the French psychiatrists Philippe Pinel
and Jean-Étienne Dominique Esquirol
. His work in this area led to him being appointed general inspector for psychiatric institutions.
He married twice, firstly to Cornelia Templeman and after being widowed of her to Geertruid Elizabeth Schroeder, whose father was professor of mathematics in Utrecht. He had one child from the first and five from the second marriage.
Utrecht
Utrecht is a city in the Netherlands.The name may also refer to:* Utrecht , of which Utrecht is the capital* Utrecht , including the city of Utrecht* Bishopric of Utrecht* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Utrecht...
, 1 May 1862) was a Dutch anatomist
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
and physiologist
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
, and an influential researcher into the causes of epilepsy
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
and mental illness
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
.
His father's surname was Van der Kolk, but he added his mother's maiden name "Schroeder" when her line threatened to die out. He studied medicine at the University of Groningen
University of Groningen
The University of Groningen , located in the city of Groningen, was founded in 1614. It is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands as well as one of its largest. Since its inception more than 100,000 students have graduated...
in the Northern Netherlands, where he graduated in 1820. He then practiced medicine in the town of Hoorn
Hoorn
-Cities :* Purmerend * Enkhuizen * Alkmaar * Amsterdam * Lelystad * Den Helder * Leeuwarden -Towns :* Edam...
, but was soon appointed at the Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
Buitengasthuis hospital. Here he was influenced by the ideas of Claude François Lallemand
Claude François Lallemand
Claude François Lallemand was a French physician.After serving as assistant surgeon in the armies of the Empire, he studied in Paris at the Hotel Dieu under Guillaume Dupuytren, and, from 1819 to 1845, was Professor of Clinical Surgery at Montpellier, with the exception of three years, during...
, and developed his ideas with regards to the etiology of mental illness, particularly the concept that mental illness is a disease than can be treated. He was appointed professor of anatomy
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
and physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
at the University of Utrecht in 1826, where he taught gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. In Utrecht, his pupils included Franciscus Donders
Franciscus Donders
-External links:* B. Theunissen. , F.C. Donders: turning refracting into science, @ History of science and scholarship in the Netherlands.* in the Virtual Laboratory of the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science* P. Eling, , Geneeskundige en fysioloog....
, Hermann Snellen
Hermann Snellen
Herman Snellen was a Dutch ophthalmologist who introduced the Snellen chart to study visual acuity . He took over directorship of the Netherlands Hospital for Eye Patients after Dr...
and Barend Joseph Stokvis
Barend Joseph Stokvis
Barend Joseph Stokvis was a Dutch physician and professor of physiology and pharmacology who is mainly remembered for his description of acute porphyria in 1889. As a researcher in chemical pathology he made contributions to the understanding of a number of diseases...
.
He published over 100 papers on various medical topics. In 1859 he delivered the Sydenham lecture at the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries
Worshipful Society of Apothecaries
The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. Originally, apothecaries were members of the Grocers' Company and before this members of the Guild of Pepperers formed in London in 1180...
in London.
His best known work is on the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
studies on the brains of people who had suffered of epilepsy in life showed changes in the medulla oblongata
Medulla oblongata
The medulla oblongata is the lower half of the brainstem. In discussions of neurology and similar contexts where no ambiguity will result, it is often referred to as simply the medulla...
(part of the brainstem), and Schroeder van der Kolk stated that seizures must therefore originate in this area. Several decades later it was discovered that seizures arise from the cerebral cortex
Cerebral cortex
The cerebral cortex is a sheet of neural tissue that is outermost to the cerebrum of the mammalian brain. It plays a key role in memory, attention, perceptual awareness, thought, language, and consciousness. It is constituted of up to six horizontal layers, each of which has a different...
. He conducted other studies in neuroanatomy
Neuroanatomy
Neuroanatomy is the study of the anatomy and organization of the nervous system. In contrast to animals with radial symmetry, whose nervous system consists of a distributed network of cells, animals with bilateral symmetry have segregated, defined nervous systems, and thus we can begin to speak of...
, such as into the organisation of the spinal cord
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain . The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system...
.
Other important work was in the nature and causes of mental illness. Apart from Lallemand he was also influenced by the French psychiatrists Philippe Pinel
Philippe Pinel
Philippe Pinel was a French physician who was instrumental in the development of a more humane psychological approach to the custody and care of psychiatric patients, referred to today as moral therapy...
and Jean-Étienne Dominique Esquirol
Jean-Étienne Dominique Esquirol
Jean-Étienne Dominique Esquirol was a French psychiatrist.Born and raised in Toulouse, Esquirol completed his education at Montpellier...
. His work in this area led to him being appointed general inspector for psychiatric institutions.
He married twice, firstly to Cornelia Templeman and after being widowed of her to Geertruid Elizabeth Schroeder, whose father was professor of mathematics in Utrecht. He had one child from the first and five from the second marriage.