Physiology in the context of medicine - the beginnings
Ἀλλ´ οὐ λέγουσιν τὸ διἀ τί περὶ οὐδενός·
οἶον διὰ τί θερμὸν τὸ πῦρ ·
ἀλλὰ μόνον ὃτι ϑερμόν.
But they never know the why,
for example, why the fire [is] hot,
only that it [is] hot.
Aristoteles, Metaphysics I.1 (9)
Asclepios, the Goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone receive a group of famous doctors, whose names are inscribed on the wreaths: Theodorides, son of Polykrates, Sostratos, son of Epikrates; Epeuches, son of Dieuchos; Diakritos, son of Dieuchos; Mnesitheos, son of Mnesitheos. 350-300BC
Physiology is a central foundational science of contemporary medicine. Several questions arise in the relationship between physiology and medicine. First, it is of interest at what point a function of physiology as a basic science of medicine can be demonstrated? Subsequently, the question emerges, how did the relationship between practical medicine and physiology develop in history? And finally the question arises, which basic features characterize today's physiology in relation to practical medicine?
Here, the first question will be pursued and it will be examined from what point on an accompaniment of medicine by physiology can be traced. One can approach this question from two sides. On the one hand, this can be done via the concept (the predicate), on the other hand via aspects of content. The way via the predicate seems to be more direct and therefore it shall first be examined when the predicates "physiology" or "physiologist" can be proved for the first time in the history of science.
Andreas Deußen, Institute of Physiology at the TU Dresden
Complete script for the final lecture on July 5, 2022 as head of the Department of Physiology: