Wilhelm Heinrich Erb
Encyclopedia
Wilhelm Heinrich Erb was a German neurologist
who was a native of Winnweiler
, Rhineland-Palatinate
.
(1825-1882) at Heidelberg
. As a young man, he also worked for a period of time under Ludwig von Buhl
(1816-1880) in Munich
. In 1880 Erb attained the chair of special pathology
at the University of Leipzig
, where he was also appointed head of its policlinic. In 1883 he succeeded Friedreich at the University of Heidelberg, where he worked until his retirement in 1907. Psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin
(1856-1926) and Neurologists Ernst Julius Remak (1849-1911) and Max Nonne
(1861-1959) were some of his better known students.
and histology
, but later his interest switched to neurology
, of which he became one of the 19th century's leading neurologists. He extensively used electrodiagnostic testing and demonstrated heightened motor nerve sensitivity in tetanus
. He is also credited with popularizing the reflex hammer
for use in neurological examinations.
He made early observations associated with syphilis
and tabes dorsalis
(nerve fiber and nerve cell degeneration). In his research of tabes dorsalis he tried to find the link between this condition and syphilis. He also made contributions in his research of poliomyelitis
, claudication intermittens
, and progressive muscular atrophy.
He was the author of over 250 medical works, including Handbuch der Elektrotherapie (Textbook on Electrotherapy
), and an important study on spinal paralysis. In 1878 Erb described myasthenia gravis
, which is sometimes referred to as the "Erb-Goldflam disease" (named along with neurologist Samuel Goldflam
). Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder that leads to fatigue and muscle weakness.
Neurologist
A neurologist is a physician who specializes in neurology, and is trained to investigate, or diagnose and treat neurological disorders.Neurology is the medical specialty related to the human nervous system. The nervous system encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. A specialist...
who was a native of Winnweiler
Winnweiler
Winnweiler is a municipality in the Donnersbergkreis, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is situated on the upper course of the river Alsenz, approx. north-east of Kaiserslautern...
, Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate
Rhineland-Palatinate is one of the 16 states of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has an area of and about four million inhabitants. The capital is Mainz. English speakers also commonly refer to the state by its German name, Rheinland-Pfalz ....
.
Academic career
In 1864 he received his medical degree from the University of Heidelberg, and for several years was an assistant to pathologist Nikolaus FriedreichNikolaus Friedreich
Nikolaus Friedreich was a German pathologist and neurologist, and a third generation physician in the Friedreich family...
(1825-1882) at Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
. As a young man, he also worked for a period of time under Ludwig von Buhl
Ludwig von Buhl
Ludwig von Buhl was a German pathologist born in Munich.He studied medicine in Munich and Vienna, and in 1847 was habilitated as a lecturer of pathological anatomy and microscopy at the University of Munich. In 1850 he was appointed associate professor, and in 1854 he succeeded Karl Thiersch as...
(1816-1880) in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
. In 1880 Erb attained the chair of special 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....
at the University of Leipzig
University of Leipzig
The University of Leipzig , located in Leipzig in the Free State of Saxony, Germany, is one of the oldest universities in the world and the second-oldest university in Germany...
, where he was also appointed head of its policlinic. In 1883 he succeeded Friedreich at the University of Heidelberg, where he worked until his retirement in 1907. Psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin
Emil Kraepelin
Emil Kraepelin was a German psychiatrist. H.J. Eysenck's Encyclopedia of Psychology identifies him as the founder of modern scientific psychiatry, as well as of psychopharmacology and psychiatric genetics. Kraepelin believed the chief origin of psychiatric disease to be biological and genetic...
(1856-1926) and Neurologists Ernst Julius Remak (1849-1911) and Max Nonne
Max Nonne
Max Nonne was a German neurologist.Max Nonne was educated at the Gelehrtenschule des Johanneums. He studied in Heidelberg, Freiburg, and Berlin, receiving his doctorate at Hamburg University in 1884...
(1861-1959) were some of his better known students.
Neurological research
Erb began his medical career in the fields of toxicologyToxicology
Toxicology is a branch of biology, chemistry, and medicine concerned with the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms...
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...
, but later his interest switched to neurology
Neurology
Neurology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Specifically, it deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their coverings, blood vessels, and all effector tissue,...
, of which he became one of the 19th century's leading neurologists. He extensively used electrodiagnostic testing and demonstrated heightened motor nerve sensitivity in tetanus
Tetanus
Tetanus is a medical condition characterized by a prolonged contraction of skeletal muscle fibers. The primary symptoms are caused by tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin produced by the Gram-positive, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani...
. He is also credited with popularizing the reflex hammer
Reflex hammer
A reflex hammer is a medical instrument used by physicians to test deep tendon reflexes. Testing for reflexes is an important part of the neurological physical examination in order to detect abnormalities in the central or peripheral nervous system....
for use in neurological examinations.
He made early observations associated with syphilis
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The primary route of transmission is through sexual contact; however, it may also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis...
and tabes dorsalis
Tabes dorsalis
Tabes dorsalis is a slow degeneration of the sensory neurons that carry afferent information. The degenerating nerves are in the dorsal columns of the spinal cord and carry information that help maintain a person's sense of position , vibration, and discriminative touch.-Cause:Tabes dorsalis is...
(nerve fiber and nerve cell degeneration). In his research of tabes dorsalis he tried to find the link between this condition and syphilis. He also made contributions in his research of poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is an acute viral infectious disease spread from person to person, primarily via the fecal-oral route...
, claudication intermittens
Intermittent claudication
Intermittent claudication is a clinical diagnosis given for muscle pain , classically in the calf muscle, which occurs during exercise, such as walking, and is relieved by a short period of rest.Claudication derives from the Latin verb claudicare, "to limp".-Signs:One of the hallmarks of arterial...
, and progressive muscular atrophy.
He was the author of over 250 medical works, including Handbuch der Elektrotherapie (Textbook on Electrotherapy
Electrotherapy
Electrotherapy is the use of electrical energy as a medical treatment In medicine, the term electrotherapy can apply to a variety of treatments, including the use of electrical devices such as deep brain stimulators for neurological disease. The term has also been applied specifically to the use of...
), and an important study on spinal paralysis. In 1878 Erb described myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability...
, which is sometimes referred to as the "Erb-Goldflam disease" (named along with neurologist Samuel Goldflam
Samuel Goldflam
Samuel Wulfowicz Goldflam was a Polish neurologist best known for his brilliant 1893 analysis of myasthenia gravis .-Life:...
). Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder that leads to fatigue and muscle weakness.
Associated eponyms
- Erb-Duchenne palsy, also known as Erb's palsyErb's palsyErb's palsy is a paralysis of the arm caused by injury to the upper group of the arm's main nerves, specifically the upper trunk C5-C6 is severed. These form part of the brachial plexus, comprising the ventral rami of spinal nerves C5-C8, and T1. These injuries arise most commonly, but not...
or brachial plexusBrachial plexusThe brachial plexus is a network of nerve fibers, running from the spine, formed by the ventral rami of the lower four cervical and first thoracic nerve roots...
palsy: a muscular paralysis during childbirth; named with French neurologist Guillaume DuchenneGuillaume DuchenneGuillaume-Benjamin-Amand Duchenne was a French neurologist who revived Galvani's research and greatly advanced the science of electrophysiology... - Erb-Charcot paralysis: a rare form of spinal syphilis; named with French neurologist Jean-Martin CharcotJean-Martin CharcotJean-Martin Charcot was a French neurologist and professor of anatomical pathology. He is known as "the founder of modern neurology" and is "associated with at least 15 medical eponyms", including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis...
- Erb's point: an anatomical location 2-3 cm above the clavicleClavicleIn human anatomy, the clavicle or collar bone is a long bone of short length that serves as a strut between the scapula and the sternum. It is the only long bone in body that lies horizontally...
. Electrical stimulation over this region causes contraction of various arm muscles. - Erb-Westphal symptom: a reflex anomaly seen in tabes dorsalis, named with German neurologist Karl Friedrich Otto Westphal
- Erb's spotErb's point (cardiology)In cardiology, Erb's point refers to the third intercostal space on the left sternal border where S2 is best auscultated. It is essentially the same location as what is referred to with left lower sternal border ....
: an auscultatoryAuscultationAuscultation is the term for listening to the internal sounds of the body, usually using a stethoscope...
spot in cardiologyCardiologyCardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart . The field includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology...
, located in the third intercostal space, three centimeter to the left, which allows an evaluation of most heart sounds and murmurs.
Selected publications
- Zur Pathologie and pathologische Anatomie peripherischer Paralysen, (Pathology and Pathological Anatomy of Peripheral Paralysis), 1867/1868
- Spastische Spinalparalyse, (Spastic Spinal Paralysis), 1875
- Handbuch der Krankheiten der peripheren cerebrospinalen Nerven (Textbook concerning Disorders of the Peripheral Cerebro-spinal Nerves), 1874
- Handbuch der Elektrotherapie, (Textbook of Electrotherapy), 1882