ZUNTZ,NATHAN (1847-1920) - A GERMAN PIONEER IN HIGH-ALTITUDE PHYSIOLOGY AND AVIATION MEDICINE .2. SCIENTIFIC WORK

For ever 52 years, the work of Nathan Zuntz (1847-1920) covered an ama zingly wide spectrum of research fields; metabolism, nutrition, respir ation, blood gases, exercise, and high altitude physiology were the ma in themes. Zuntz achieved fame for his invention of the Zuntz-Geppert respiratory apparatus in 1886 and the first Laufband (treadmill) in 18 89. To this experimental setup Zuntz later added an X-ray apparatus in 1914 to determine the changes in heart volume during exercise. Moreov er, he constructed a climate chamber to study exercise under varying a nd sometimes extreme climates. For field studies Zuntz invented a tran sportable Gasuhr (dry gas measuring device). Zuntz was the first to de scribe the difference between laboratory data gained in a hypobaric ch amber and the measurements at high altitude. He found that the baromet ric formula is not applicable in the field, Two balloon expeditions in 1902 by Zuntz and his pupil, v. Schroetter, marked the step from terr estrial physiology towards aviation medicine. An outline of the develo pment of scientific aviation in Berlin from 1880-1918 elucidates how c losely the aviation union, army, and scientific departments were conne cted with and dependent upon each other. In cooperation with these ins titutions Zuntz and v. Schroetter constructed an oxygen supply system and planned a pressure cabin for extreme altitudes above 10,000 m, a f orerunner of modern systems in aviation and astronautics. In 1912, Zun tz and v. Schroetter each published papers on aviation medicine, both publications internationally unique in style and extent. Zuntz's work in its empirical approach was the counterpart to the established forma l mathematical-physical reductionism of the German Physiological Socie ty. Outside of Germany, applied or integrative physiology wets regarde d as equally important as the so-called basic physiology. Zuntz was on e of the most productive authors of physiological works in the German- speaking countries. His scientific universality was matched by a decid ed accuracy to detail. His conviction that an integrative research app roach is as necessary far a biological system as an analytical-mathema tical one, his methodological strokes of genius and the extraordinary interpretation of his results may be considered as exemplary still tod ay for working methods in applied physiology.