[The future of hygiene in a world of technology--hygiene and historicism]

Stimulated by "historicism", a term coined by Karl Popper, statements uttered by the philosophers Heidegger, Jaspers and Guardini are analysed to see whether historical forecasts are possible which justify a gloomy outlook of the world's future, such as is presently spreading as a result of the concern about an excessive invasion of our life by technology. Man has liberated himself from his original dependence on the natural forces of his environment thanks to the technology he has developed. He has severed his ties with this environment, but must not be overwhelmed by technocracy. Also, we hygienists, should allow for the historical development of our natural and social environment, in addition to the results of laboratory analyses and field studies.