[The Lvov school of clinical pathologists]

The story of pathology in Lviv can be briefly summarized in two stages, the first one beginning with 1785 when the University of Lviv medical faculty was organized, the second stage dating back to 1896 when the Medical Institute of Lviv and the department of pathology were found. In 1896 the first autopsy was performed at the pathology department of the Medical Institute of Lviv. Beginning with 1901 the Institute has been conducting postmortal, histological and microbiological investigations; since 1923 they have been obtaining biopsies and operative material, in 1955 histochemistry division was organized, and in 1967 electronic microscopy was first applied to studies and has become accepted practice since then. The beginning of the pathology scientific school in Lviv dates back to the end of the 19th century. It is possible to make out four principal periods of activity at the second stage of the department's development, viz., those between 1896 and 1920, 1920 and 1941, 1945 and 1965, and from 1966 up to the present day. Each of these was approximately of 20 years' duration. During the first period, A. Obzhut and Z. Dmokhovs'kyĭ, eminent pathologists, showed themselves first-rate lenders, the main fields of their activity having been creation of text-books for students, organization of the department's macro-museum, study into inflammation. During the second period it was V. Novits'kyĭ who came to the fore having devoted himself to study of infections diseases, carcinogenesis, problems of goitre; and also known for publication of a three-volume text-book on pathologic anatomy. During the third period the department was headed by M.V. Voĭno-Iasenets'kyĭ and Ie.I. Pal'chevs'kyĭ who distinguished themselves in the study of infectious diseases and endemic pathology. At present, D. Zerbino is in charge of the department of pathology. His principal lines of scientific activity are those of environmental and cardiovascular pathology.