Physiological considerations about a statement by Gaius Petronius

Abstract

In my inauguration speech on November 8, 1989 as Rector of the Karl-Franzens-University in Graz (1) I have warned not to split off the Medical Faculty as a separate Medical University "... since such a separation of a part of a University corresponds to an amputation." In spite of this and of other warnings the decision was made by a federal law to permit this separation. The irrevocable and definite step to execute the separation was done by a vote of the Medical Faculty in Graz. The logical consequence is now the development of isolationism, which will lead to a narrowness of Medicine in a kind of "Splendid Isolation." The observation of systems like a University shows, that in such a community time, time course and periods play an important role. It seems interesting to discuss the time course of the development of Universities from the first foundations in Europe and to analyze the effect of sudden changes produced by external influences. In particular the new laws, which came into effect in the last decades and years and changed the function of the Universities markedly, are of interest. From a discussion of the development of Universities until recent events one can conclude, that the splitting of each of the three Austrian Universities, which included Medical Faculties, into a new Medical University and a Rest University will lead to the growth of two "daughter cells" with each growing to a larger size than the former whole University. Another conclusion indicates that even in simpler systems instability can be produced, if new disturbing inputs are effective in a too fast sequence.