[Professor Frantisek Svec and his activities at the Comenius University Medical School 1925-1948]

In the second and third decade of the history of the Medical Faculty, Comenius University in Bratislava, the outstanding personality of Prof. MUDr. Frantisek Svec deserves great recognition. The best years of his productive life were devoted to studies in the field of pharmacology. He worked at the Institute of Pharmacology and Pharmacognostics and was appointed Associate Professor in pharmacology and pharmacognostics in 1937 and Full Professor in 1939 when he became also Head of the Institute. In his teaching commitments executed over long years, he achieved excellent results. Equally outstanding were his scientific achievements. He ranked among the first internationally recognized scientists. His research work was focused on experimental pharmacology and pharmacochemistry, particularly on digitalis cardiotonics. He devoted much of his time to his students, holding different positions, as e.g. chairing the Student Health Institute for a whole decade. In the school year of 1947/1948 he was appointed Dean of the Medical School, Comenius University. After February 1948 he was among the first faculty members who had to experience the injustice and oppression of the totalitarian regime. He was not only divested of his position as dean of the Faculty but he also had to leave the Medical School.