[Pathology in Rostock]

The name of Rostock was first mentioned in 1161 by the Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus. As the oldest university in Northern Europe, the Alma mater rostochiensis was inaugurated in 1419 and is proudely called Light of the North ("Leuchte des Nordens"). Its Medical Faculty belonged to the three founding faculties. As elsewhere, the roots of Rostock pathology hark back to anatomy. A Theatrum anatomicum existed since 1790. First lectures on pathology were read by Johann Wilhelm Josephi (1763-1845) who was Head of Anatomy in the so-called Dissection House ("Zergliederungshaus") situated at the Old Market of Rostock. In 1844, anatomy together with its pathology rooms moved into the Garden House ("Gartenhaus") on the university yard. From 1878 to 1930, the Pathology represented one section of the downtown Medical Studies Building. From 1930 up to now, the Pathology Institute is situated in the Strempel Street at the corner of the clinical center. The Rostock Pathology Chair was established in 1865. Since that time, the institute had ten directors. Inter alios, Ernst Schwalbe (1871-1920) was a famous teratologist at the beginning of the 20th century. Walther Fischer (1882-1969) was Head of Institute for 24 years and became well-known as oncopathologist. After World War II, Alexander Bienengräber (1911-1990) reconstructed the institute in all ist compartments to a modern standard. At present, about 40 persons, with eight pathologists among them, represent the staff of the institute. 150 medical students are taught in each semester. Scientific topics concern oral, colorectal and thyroid carcinoma, pancreatitis as well as renal and transplant pathology. Nearly 15,000 histology, 20,000 cytology, and 150 autopsy cases are presently examined per year.