Hebra

HEBRA, Ferdinand (Ferdinand von Hebra, 1816-80), one of the greatest dermatologists of the 19th century and head of the Vienna school of dermatology. Having received in Vienna from his teacher Skoda the management of the scabies department, Hebra later transformed it into a world-renowned dermatological clinic. Hebra waged an energetic struggle against the views of humoral pathology, according to which most skin diseases were manifestations of general disorders of the body, "corruption of juices," "special dyscrasia," etc. Through his classic works on scabies (1844) and eczema, he demonstrated the role of external factors (animal parasites, chemical irritants) in the etiology of these diseases. In addition, H. extensively studied the morphology of rashes, the mutual relationships of eruptive elements, and the transition of one form into another (spots into papules, papules into vesicles, etc.). Hebra was the first to provide the most scientific patho-anatomical classification of skin diseases, dividing all skin diseases into 12 groups (depending on their anatomical substrate). In the field of therapy, H., in accordance with the views mentioned above, developed primarily external therapy. Some of his methods are still successfully used today; for example, rubbing in green soap for pityriasis versicolor, treating some common dermatoses (pemphigus) with constant baths ("Hebra's water bed") and others. However, while attaching great importance to external treatment, Hebra, as a subtle clinician, also used internal remedies; thus, he widely popularized the internal administration of large doses of arsenic for the treatment of psoriasis and lichen. - H. compiled a two-volume textbook on dermatology (Lehrbuch d. Hautkrankheiten, Erlangen-Stuttgart, 1874-76) and an extensive atlas of skin diseases (Atlas d. Hautkrankheiten, Wien, 1856-76), which still represents the best teaching aid in dermatology. Both of these works were compiled by H. in part together with his outstanding student M. Kaposi (Moritz Kaposi).