[Roboratio or relaxatio? Clinical theory and practice in the 19th century]

The first Norwegian medical school was founded in 1814. Niels Berner Sørenssen (1774-1857), one of three professors, was responsible for teaching pathology and therapy, and for clinical education. Together with his student and successor, Andreas Christian Conradi (1809-68), he made his mark on Norwegian physicians for a period of 50 years. A few years ago a small handwritten book by a medical student, dated 1828, turned up in a second-hand market. This book, which contains notes from Professor Sørenssen's lectures on therapy, demonstrates that his teaching was heavily influenced by the speculative theories of John Brown (1735-88). Similar influence is traceable in the annual reports from Norwegian physicians during the second half of the 19th century. Sørenssen urged his students to thoroughly investigate the medical history and make a detailed clinical examination, and his attitude to therapy was careful, almost reluctant. This personal clinical attitude was probably more important than the theoretical foundation upon which he based his lectures.