James Israel
Encyclopedia
James Adolf Israel was a German surgeon
who was a native of Berlin
. In 1870 he received his medical doctorate from Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität
. He studied under von Bernhard Rudolf Konrad von Langenbeck (1810–1887) and Ludwig Traube
(1818–1876). After receiving his doctorate in 1870, he continued his education in Vienna, and in 1872 became assistant physician at the hospital for the Jewish Community.
He was a military physician during the Franco-Prussian War
, and later furthered his studies in Vienna
and the British Isles. In 1875, after undertaking further education in England and Scotland, he became deputy physician-in-chief of the surgical department of the Jewish hospital in Berlin. He was promoted to chief-in-chief there in 1880, and in 1894 he received the title of professor.
Israel was a pioneer in modern urologic
and renal surgery, and made important contributions in the field of plastic surgery
, particularly oral and maxillofacial surgery. His inaugural thesis concerned Bright’s kidney disease
. His first report of an operation of the kidney came in 1882. He was also an early advocate of Joseph Lister
's antiseptic
practices in the operating room.
Israel is credited for providing the first description of a bacterium of the genus Actinomyces
in humans, which is a genus of Gram-positive
bacteria that are the cause of actinomycosis
. Later this organism was given the name Actinomyces israelii
. He published over 170 articles during his career, largely on urologic medicine, and was co-founder of the journal Folia Urologica. He also designed the Lazarettzug, which was a mobile hospital railcar.
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
who was a native of Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. In 1870 he received his medical doctorate from Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität
Humboldt University of Berlin
The Humboldt University of Berlin is Berlin's oldest university, founded in 1810 as the University of Berlin by the liberal Prussian educational reformer and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt, whose university model has strongly influenced other European and Western universities...
. He studied under von Bernhard Rudolf Konrad von Langenbeck (1810–1887) and Ludwig Traube
Ludwig Traube (physician)
Ludwig Traube was a German physician and co-founder of the experimental pathology in Germany.-Biography:...
(1818–1876). After receiving his doctorate in 1870, he continued his education in Vienna, and in 1872 became assistant physician at the hospital for the Jewish Community.
He was a military physician during the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
, and later furthered his studies 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...
and the British Isles. In 1875, after undertaking further education in England and Scotland, he became deputy physician-in-chief of the surgical department of the Jewish hospital in Berlin. He was promoted to chief-in-chief there in 1880, and in 1894 he received the title of professor.
Israel was a pioneer in modern urologic
Urology
Urology is the medical and surgical specialty that focuses on the urinary tracts of males and females, and on the reproductive system of males. Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists and are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with urological...
and renal surgery, and made important contributions in the field of plastic surgery
Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form and function. Though cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is the best-known kind of plastic surgery, most plastic surgery is not cosmetic: plastic surgery includes many types of reconstructive surgery, hand...
, particularly oral and maxillofacial surgery. His inaugural thesis concerned Bright’s kidney disease
Bright's disease
Bright's disease is a historical classification of kidney diseases that would be described in modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis. The term is no longer used, as diseases are now classified according to their more fully understood causes....
. His first report of an operation of the kidney came in 1882. He was also an early advocate of Joseph Lister
Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister
Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister OM, FRS, PC , known as Sir Joseph Lister, Bt., between 1883 and 1897, was a British surgeon and a pioneer of antiseptic surgery, who promoted the idea of sterile surgery while working at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary...
's antiseptic
Antiseptic
Antiseptics are antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction...
practices in the operating room.
Israel is credited for providing the first description of a bacterium of the genus Actinomyces
Actinomyces
Actinomyces from Greek "actino" that means mucus and fungus, is a genus of the actinobacteria class of bacteria. They are all Gram-positive and are characterized by contiguous spread, suppurative and granulomatous inflammation, and formation of multiple abscesses and sinus tracts that may...
in humans, which is a genus of Gram-positive
Gram-positive
Gram-positive bacteria are those that are stained dark blue or violet by Gram staining. This is in contrast to Gram-negative bacteria, which cannot retain the crystal violet stain, instead taking up the counterstain and appearing red or pink...
bacteria that are the cause of actinomycosis
Actinomycosis
Actinomycosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Actinomyces species such as Actinomyces israelii or A. gerencseriae. It can also be caused by Propionibacterium propionicus, and the condition is likely to be polymicrobial aerobic anaerobic infection.Actinomycosis occurs rarely in humans...
. Later this organism was given the name Actinomyces israelii
Actinomyces israelii
Actinomyces israelii is a species of Actinomyces.Actinomycosis is most frequently caused by Actinomyces israelii and is sometimes known as the "most misdiagnosed disease," as it is frequently confused with neoplasms. A. israelii is a normal colonizer of the vagina, colon, and mouth...
. He published over 170 articles during his career, largely on urologic medicine, and was co-founder of the journal Folia Urologica. He also designed the Lazarettzug, which was a mobile hospital railcar.
- Associated eponym:
- Nicoladoni-Israel-Branham signNicoladoni signIn medicine, the Nicoladoni sign, also Branham sign and Nicoladoni-Israel-Branham sign, is the slowing of the heart rate in response to compression of an arteriovenous fistula.It is named for Carl Nicoladoni....
: A circulatory phenomenon seen in angiomaAngiomaAngiomas are benign tumors derived from cells of the vascular or lymphatic vessel walls or derived from cells of the tissues surrounding these vessels....
racemosum of the extremities. It was first described in 1875 by Carl NicoladoniCarl NicoladoniCarl Nicoladoni was an Austrian surgeon who was born in Vienna. He received his medical doctorate from the University of Vienna, and was later a professor of surgery at the Universities of Innsbruck and Graz .Nicoladoni specialized in orthopedic and reconstructive surgery...
(1847–1902).
Selected writings
- Fünf Fälle von diffuser Nephritis (Five Cases of Diffuse NephritisNephritisNephritis is inflammation of the nephrons in the kidneys. The word "nephritis" was imported from Latin, which took it from Greek: νεφρίτιδα. The word comes from the Greek νεφρός - nephro- meaning "of the kidney" and -itis meaning "inflammation"....
). Diss med. Berlin 1870 - Angiectasie im Stromgebiete der A. tibialis antica.
- Beobachtung einiger bemerkenswerther Phaenomene nach Unterbindung der A. femoralis . (Observations of a remarkable Phenomena after Removal of the Femoral ArteryFemoral arteryThe femoral artery is a general term comprising a few large arteries in the thigh. They begin at the inguinal ligament and end just above the knee at adductor canal or Hunter's canal traversing the extent of the femur bone....
). Klin Arch Chir 21 (1877) 109 - Klinische Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Aktinomykose des Menschen. (Clinical Contributions to the Knowledge of ActinomycosisActinomycosisActinomycosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Actinomyces species such as Actinomyces israelii or A. gerencseriae. It can also be caused by Propionibacterium propionicus, and the condition is likely to be polymicrobial aerobic anaerobic infection.Actinomycosis occurs rarely in humans...
in Humans). Berlin 1885 - Ueber Reincultur des Actinomyces und seine Uebertragbarkeit auf Thiere. Archiv Pathologische Anatomie; (1891); 126:11–28, (with Max WolffMax Wolff (physician)Max Wolff was a German physician who was a native of Potsdam.He studied medicine in Berlin, where he was a student of Rudolf Virchow. Following graduation in 1866, he became an assistant at the clinic of internal medicine at Rostock...
) - Chirurgische Klinik der Nierenkrankheiten. (Surgical Clinic of Renal Diseases). Berlin 1901
- Die Chirurgie der Niere und des Harnleiters. (The Surgery of the KidneyKidneyThe kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
and UreterUreterIn human anatomy, the ureters are muscular tubes that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In the adult, the ureters are usually long and ~3-4 mm in diameter....
). 1926