100 YEARS OF THE GERMANY-SOCIETY-OF-PATHO LOGY (1897-1997)

The German Society of Pathology emerged from the Society of German Sci entists and Physicians. Founded in Braunschweig in 1897, the first sci entific meeting was held in Dusseldorf in 1898. Rudolf Virchow was the first chairman up to this death in 1902. From the beginning the Socie ty with its former name of German Pathological Society till the 2nd wo rld war,was an association of German-speaking countries including Aust rian and Swiss pathologists who also regularly presided at the meeting s. Alternately the meetings were held in Germany,Austria,or Switzerlan d. The 100-year-history of the Society has been documented in 80 volum es of the meetings so far. Since 1903 these are published by Gustav Fi scher, Jena-Stuttgart. The scientific results of the anual meetings sh ow not only the growth and development of Pathology, but also the lect ures and papers to the main subjects contribute considerably to the hi story of medical basic research in the 20th century. The chairmen's sp eeches combine to a history of problems in the subject of Pathology. R udolf Virchow began it with his opening address in 1898. A special cha pter covers the period of national socialism and German partition afte r the 2nd world war. The German Pathological Society suffered great lo sses by dismissal and emigration after 1933. Institutes rich in tradit ion got lost in East Germany. The partition of Germany, especially aft er construction of the wall, excluded the East German colleagues for S ociety life. An attempt has been made to record the losses in numbers by evaluation of the member lists of the meeting volumes. At the end o f the century and after overcoming of the German partition,the German Society of Pathology has got a chance for revival.