[100 years of the Mikulicz syndrome]

Between 1888 and 1892, Mikulicz as well as Fuchs observed each a case of oculo-salivary glandular syndrome. Ten years later, Heerfordt described uveitis complicated by swelling of the lacrimal and salivary glands. Within 100 years, the interpretation of this disease changed repeatedly and considerably: infection of particularly exposed organs--non-avirulent tuberculosis--salivotropic virus--Boeck's disease--allergic-hyperergic reaction--diencephalic and nervous dystrophy with segmental projection--(auto)immune disease--oculo-salivary complex including Sjøgren's syndrome--all these were discussed as possible aetiologies. Short biographies of Johannes von Mikulicz-Radecki, surgeon at Austrian and Prussian universities; Ernst Fuchs, ophthalmologist of Vienna; Christian Frederik Heerfordt, a Danish ophthalmologist particularly fond of publicity.