[The University Dermatology Clinic in Bern]

The history of the university dermatology clinic in Bern can be followed back into the 13th century to the founding of the Siechenhaus (hospice for incurable patients) in 1283. The hospice was moved in 1491 to the Breitfeld before the gates of the city, where over the next four centuries it expanded greatly and served patients with leprosy and later syphilis and other skin diseases. In the beginning of the 19th century teaching in dermato-venerology was carried out here. In 1891/82 one of the earliest dermatology clinics was established, as a professorship was established and the clinic moved to a new building on the grounds of the Inselspital, the university hospital. Through the efforts of the first chairmen, E. Lesser and J. Jadassohn, as well as their successors, dermato-venerology has remained well-established in Bern. We review the important dates, individuals and institutions and their role on the long development of dermato-venerology in Bern from its early roots until today.