Eduard Lent (1831-1911): founder and supporter of public health care, social institutions, and physician self-management

Abstract

Modern urology owes much to our predecessors. Researchers in the 20th century were able to develop their specialist techniques and their professional independence on the basis of the fundamental studies and measures carried out by their predecessors in the 19th century. As a medical practitioner, Eduard Lent provided pioneering solutions to the three major sociomedical problems of his time, namely wide-spread epidemics like cholera, social inequalities, and lack of organization of the medical profession. His answer are to be found in the organization of public healthcare, establishment of suitable social institutions, and the promotion of self-government of the medical profession. These achievements have left their imprint on many fields, including urology.