[Medical history and ethics. In memoriam Rolf Winau (1937-2006)]

The paper contributes to the discussion on the self-image of the institutionalized medical history at the medical schools in Germany. Influenced by the curriculum of the new licence to practice medicine (Approbationsordnung für Arzte) containing a so-called cross-section (Querschnittsbereich) "history, theory, ethics of medicine", the scientific community is to a certain extent rather prone to assume clear cut different disciplines--especially medical history versus medical ethics--than to consider overlapping and almost inseparable fields of work with corresponding implications. The author supports the latter approach and advocates the appreciation of the "subjective factor" in regard to teaching granting an ample scope for the individual teacher.