Samuel James Meltzer
Encyclopedia
Samuel James Meltzer was an American
physiologist
, born in Russia
. He was educated at Konigsberg
, Prussia
, studied philosophy
at and medicine
at the University of Berlin
(M. D., 1882); and in the following year he emigrated to the United States
, where he practiced his profession in New York City
, serving as consulting physician to Harlem Hospital. In 1906 he became head of the department of physiology and pharmacology
in the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research
. He served as president of the Harvey Society, of the Association for the Advancement of Clinical Research in 1909, and of the Association of American Physiologists in 1915. During World War I
, Dr. Meltzer was a major
in the Medical Reserve Corps, and when the American Association for Thoracic Surgery
was organized in 1918 he was elected president. Dr. Meltzer was occupied in research in various fields almost to the time of his death.
Meltzer and his teacher Hugo Kronecker
were the first, who studied (in 1883) oesophageal manometry
in humans.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
, born in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. He was educated at Konigsberg
University of Königsberg
The University of Königsberg was the university of Königsberg in East Prussia. It was founded in 1544 as second Protestant academy by Duke Albert of Prussia, and was commonly known as the Albertina....
, Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
, studied philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at and 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....
at the University of Berlin
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...
(M. D., 1882); and in the following year he emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where he practiced his profession in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, serving as consulting physician to Harlem Hospital. In 1906 he became head of the department of physiology and pharmacology
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action. More specifically, it is the study of the interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function...
in the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research
Rockefeller University
The Rockefeller University is a private university offering postgraduate and postdoctoral education. It has a strong concentration in the biological sciences. It is also known for producing numerous Nobel laureates...
. He served as president of the Harvey Society, of the Association for the Advancement of Clinical Research in 1909, and of the Association of American Physiologists in 1915. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Dr. Meltzer was a major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in the Medical Reserve Corps, and when the American Association for Thoracic Surgery
American Association for Thoracic Surgery
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery is an international association of cardiothoracic surgeons. It was founded in 1917 by the earliest pioneers in the field of thoracic surgery. Headquartered in Beverly, Massachusetts, it has over 1,200 members from 35 countries...
was organized in 1918 he was elected president. Dr. Meltzer was occupied in research in various fields almost to the time of his death.
Meltzer and his teacher Hugo Kronecker
Hugo Kronecker
Karl Hugo Kronecker was a German physiologist from Liegnitz, Prussian Silesia. He was the brother of Leopold Kronecker....
were the first, who studied (in 1883) oesophageal manometry
Manometry
Manometry refers to the evaluation of pressure .Forms include:* Esophageal motility study* Anorectal manometry* Rhinomanometry...
in humans.