H10 An Oscar for Lassar

Abstract

Abstract Oscar Lassar (1849–1907) was born in Hamburg to a wealthy merchant family and received a top-class education. After enrolling in the school of medicine at Heidelberg, he volunteered for military service at the outbreak of the Franco–Prussian war in 1870. He served on the front line, was promoted to officer in reserves and decorated with the Iron Cross for his bravery. He returned to complete his medical training and would eventually open a dermatology hospital in Berlin, which unified patient care, research and teaching. In only a few years this hospital would become world renowned. Catering for both inpatient and outpatient care, he was able to offer a wide range of treatments, including complex topical therapy, electrotherapy and surgical procedures. His pasta salicylica (Lassar’s paste) remains to this day a great topical treatment for atopic dermatitis. Lassar recognized the importance of an experienced nursing team to support these activities. Furthermore, he understood the importance of a well-equipped dermatology department and was quick to acquire innovative technology to expand therapeutic options, including X-ray equipment for the treatment of tumours and a Finsen carbon arc lamp for treating lupus vulgaris, thus augmenting his reputation as a Wunderarzt. Lassar made great contributions towards solidifying dermatology as a highly regarded speciality through the establishment of journals and speciality societies. He involved himself in public health measures by campaigning for the establishment of public baths, which would allow even the poorest in society to enjoy clean water facilities at a low cost, thereby reducing the spread of infectious diseases. As a man, he was described as a larger-than-life character with a personal style that meant newspapers gladly reported on his activities, making him an excellent public relations master. Lassar’s recreation was chiefly riding and driving. He was an excellent linguist, an admirable host and fond of children, for whom he wrote Geschichten und Gedichten fiir kleine Kinder (Stories and Poems for Little Children). He died in an automobile accident and his burial on Christmas Eve was marked nationally by the German newspapers, and internationally by his patients and colleagues. In Lassar, we have a great historical example of effective visionary leadership that enabled the expansion of dermatological practice and the promotion of patient care at the time.