Nikolay N. Petrov: Ethos of a Scientist and a Doctor

Abstract

Aim. In this work, the authors set out to perform a historical analysis of Nikolay Petrov’s life journey and scientific work, as well as to demonstrate the importance of the Kuban period in his formation as an individual, a scientist and as a founder of domestic medical deontology.Materials and methods. In this study, the authors used archival documents; works of Nikolay Petrov; as well as the following methods: historical-descriptive, comparative-historical, problem-chronological, biographical along with the method of monographic description.Results. The life and professional journey of Nikolay Petrov can be divided into several periods, each of them playing an important role in his formation as an individual and as a scientist. The fi rst period (‘St Petersburg period’) covers his brilliant upbringing, education at the Military Medical Academy in Saint Petersburg, work as a medical resident at the Surgery Department of the Academy, as well as the publication of his first scientific works and the defence of the doctoral thesis in medicine. During the second period (‘abroad period’), Nikolay Petrov completed advanced training at the Pasteur Institute and worked at the clinics of Switzerland, Austria and Germany. The third period (‘teaching period’) covers the time when Nikolay Petrov was simultaneously working as a surgeon and a teacher at the Military Medical Academy; his fundamental works on surgery and oncology were published. The forth ‘military period’ coincided with the years of the First World War when Nikolay Petrov worked as a surgeon at the hospitals of the Russian Red Cross Society while continuing his research. The fifth period (‘Kuban period’) coincided with the years of revolutionary upheavals, civil war and moving to Kuban. In 1917–1922 Nikolay Petrov had to choose between emigration and his motherland. He stayed true to his profession and his homeland. Nikolay Petrov devoted himself to serving the ‘new’ country, actively participated in the organisation of the Kuban Medical University and wrote a number of works on surgery, including the first work on medical deontology in the country. The sixth period is called ‘return to St Petersburg’ where in 1925 Nikolay Petrov organised the Oncology Department at the Mechnikov hospital, which under his guidance became the first research institute for oncology in our country. This period was marked by the recognition of his talent as a doctor and a scientist by the public and government.Conclusion. Nikolay Petrov‘s ethos as a scientist and a doctor was formed under the influence of his challenging life journey, with the Kuban period being a turning point in his life.