Hufeland

HUFELAND, Christoph (Christoph Hufeland, 1762-1836), one of the most remarkable physicians of his time. Hufeland was not an innovator in medicine, but his vast erudition, both specialized and general, sound mind, extraordinary diligence, and understanding of social needs created an exceptional position for him. He tirelessly fought against all metaphysical doctrines that arose during his time (phrenology, mesmerism, homeopathy, etc.). At the same time, he sought to raise the level of medical education in Germany, implemented various public health measures, and cared for the improvement of medical practice and the welfare of German physicians. In 1783, Hufeland received the degree of Doctor of Medicine at Göttingen (for his work "De usu vis electricae in asphyxia experimentis illustrato") and, returning to Weimar, began medical practice. During this time, he became closely associated with Wieland, Herder, Goethe, Schiller, and others. In 1793, Hufeland was appointed professor at Jena, where his lectures attracted a large number of listeners for that time (over 500 people). At the end of 1800, he accepted an invitation to Berlin as director of the Medico-Surgical College and member of the Academy of Sciences, and from 1801 he began his clinical lectures. In 1809, he participated in the development of a new charter for medical organization in Prussia and a statute on the establishment of the University of Berlin. In 1829, Hufeland proposed the establishment of a society to assist needy physicians, which still exists today under the name of the Hufeland Society. In 1836, he established a similar society for the widows of physicians. Hufeland's literary and journalistic activity was very extensive (of his more than 400 printed works, many were intended for non-medical readers, among whom they had tremendous success). In 1796, Hufeland's famous work "Die Kunst das menschliche Leben zu verlängern oder Makrobiotik" (Jena, 1796) appeared, a work that went through many editions and was translated into all European languages. In a series of articles, Hufeland actively promoted vaccination (in 1796, Jenner's work had just appeared). In 1800-1805, his "System der praktischen Medizin" (Jena; Russian ed.-Moscow, 1811-12) appeared, in 1814 - research on typhus, then numerous articles on anthropology and statistics, on epidemiology, etc. In 1834, Hufeland published "Encheiridion medicum, oder Anleitung zur medicinischen Praxis, Vermachtnis einer 50-jährigen Erfahrung" (Jena). From 1795, Hufeland published the "Journal der praktischen Arzneikunde und Wundarzneikunst", which he edited until his death; the journal was published until 1844.