Jan Evangelista Purkinje (1797-1869)

Abstract

Being a chairman and professor of physiology in Breslau/Wroclaw till 1850, Jan Evangelista Purkinje (1797-1869) made many crucial discoveries/experiments with the new advanced microscopy and histology techniques. He established the first institute of the physiology of the world (1839) and founded the basic principles and framework of cellular physiology (protoplasmic concept) both in plant and animal tissues. Purkine discovered and described (first in Polish, 1839) the extensive terminal network of the cardiac conduction system. Its paradigmatic discovery was presented in the last two 15-page German article in 1845, which was immediately translated into English by Sir William Withey Gull (1816-1880), an extraordinary physician to the queen and Prince of Wales. In 1837, he made his other famous discovery of Purkine cells, a giant flak-shaped nerve cell forming the middle layer of the cerebellum. His combination of physical, chemical, and microscopic observations made him the father of modern experimental physiology and predecessor of the legendary French scientist/biologist, Claude Bernard (1813-1878). Purkinje as a Czech and Slav patriot advocated cultural collaboration of Slav nations and promoted understanding between the nations of the Habsburg monarchy. His life and personality is also an inspiration on how to be a truly humanistic European and yet, a highly responsible, convinced patriot. He was a pioneer of the Czech medical language. His achievements are possibly best documented by this rhyme of Goethe: „…and should you fail to understand let Purkinje give you a hand.” True also for our times (cit by Zarsky).