El Dr. Bernard Aschner, considerado como el fundador de 'Terapia Constitucional', no solo fue un médico notable, sino un escritor prolífico que fue autor de 174 publicaciones científicas, incluidos 14 libros. Muchos de sus trabajos todavía se publican en ediciones actualizadas hasta el día de hoy. Aschner se distinguió primero científicamente en el campo de la endocrinología, luego como historiador médico y médico de medicina bioreguladora. Las modalidades terapéuticas del Dr. Aschner combinaron métodos de desintoxicación externos con métodos dietéticos internos como un enfoque general de la terapia constitucional. El proceso de terapia de Aschner penetra profundamente en la causalidad de los procesos de autorregulación perturbados. Su enfoque, particularmente en enfermedades degenerativas crónicas como la artritis, se centró en gran medida en la desintoxicación del tejido intersticial, el espacio entre las células. Como resultado, su enfoque multiterapéutico fue diseñado para mejorar la autorregulación a través de terapias no supresivas como la desintoxicación y los tratamientos regenerativos.
HISTORIA - Bernard
Aschner, MD
Emil Schlegel was born in 1852 in Germany, during a time when Europe was experiencing significant social, political, and scientific changes. The 19th century was marked by the rise of nationalism, industrialization, and a growing interest in exploration and scientific discovery. Schlegel grew up in this environment, which likely influenced his later career as a missionary and explorer. Little is known about his early life, but it is clear that he was educated in theology and natural sciences, which prepared him for his dual roles as a missionary and a naturalist.
Early Life and Background
Primeros años 1883 a 1912
Bernhard Aschner nació el 27 de enero de 1883 en Viena, Austria. Era hijo de padres judíos, Samuel Aschner y Paula Aschner. Su padre Samuel (aprox. 1849-1917), era dueño de una fábrica de camisas y ropa interior en Viena. Su madre nació Pauline Blaustern (1853-1924). Bernhard tenía cuatro hermanos: Richard, Emil, Felix y Karl Carlos. El joven Bernhard asistió a la escuela primaria y secundaria en Viena. Se interesó por la anatomía a una edad temprana y después de la secundaria trabajó en el Instituto Anatómico de Viena y, como voluntario, también trabajó en la Clínica Universitaria de Viena.
Asistió a la Universidad de Viena, donde se destacó y se graduó con su doctorado en medicina en 1907. De 1907 a 1912 trabajó como cirujano en la 1ª Clínica de Mujeres de la Universidad de Viena. Al año siguiente se mudó a Berlín para continuar sus estudios en los campos de obstetricia y ginecología.
Entre 1908 y 1912, el Dr. Aschner realizó dos descubrimientos experimentales originales que se han convertido en clásicos de la medicina. Describió el reflejo oculocárdico (una ligera presión sobre el ojo cerrado disminuye el pulso y la presión), ahora llamado fenómeno de Aschner, y publicó un artículo en 1908 sobre este descubrimiento. El segundo fue su éxito en la supervivencia a largo plazo en perros hipofisectomizados, lo que le permitió estudiar la función de la glándula pituitaria.
Servicio militar en WW1
Se alistó en el ejército donde se desempeñó como médico en hospitales de guerra durante la Primera Guerra Mundial. Sirvió en el Regimiento de Dragones Austrohúngaros No. 3 en Viena. y estaba a cargo de una importante unidad quirúrgica en Innsbruck. También se desempeñó como médico del regimiento en hospitales de reserva en el Ejército Imperial y Real, y recibió la Cruz de Caballero de la Orden de Franz Joseph.
Cruz de la Orden de Francisco José de Knight
Endocrinología
Estudios
Después del servicio militar, realizó una cátedra en el Instituto de Anatomía con el profesor Zuckerkandl, se unió al personal de la clínica quirúrgica universitaria bajo el Dr. Eiselsberg .
Obtuvo su primera formación ginecológica en la clínica universitaria de Viena con Friedrich Schauta (un reconocido cirujano y ginecólogo austríaco nacido en Viena). En 1913 a la edad de 30 años, el Dr. Aschner era asistente en la Clínica Universitaria de Mujeres de Halle (Saale), Alemania, donde se destacó en estudios de ginecología y obstetricia. En 1918, regresó a Viena, y además de su trabajo allí como profesor privado, dirigió la clínica ambulatoria para mujeres en el hospital general.
Se interesó en el papel recién descubierto de las hormonas y su efecto en la fisiología y exploró la relación de las glándulas endocrinas con los órganos genitales femeninos. El resultado de su investigación sobre la influencia de la pituitaria sobre la capacidad mental lo indujo a probar el tratamiento somático de las enfermedades mentales. Logró resultados sorprendentes en el tratamiento de la melancolía y la esquizofrenia, tres años antes de que Manfred Sakel publicara sus resultados con el tratamiento con shock de insulina. La investigación del Dr. Aschner en función pituitaria contribuyó en gran medida al nuevo campo de la endocrinología.
Collection of Specimens
As a naturalist, Schlegel was deeply involved in the collection of biological specimens, which was a common practice among European explorers and missionaries during the 19th century. He collected a wide range of specimens, including plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife, often sending them back to Europe for further study and classification. These collections were valuable to European scientists, who were eager to expand their understanding of global biodiversity.
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Botanical Collections: Schlegel collected numerous plant specimens, many of which were likely new to European science at the time. Southern Africa is home to a remarkable diversity of plant life, including many endemic species, and Schlegel's collections would have contributed to the growing body of knowledge about the region's flora. His botanical work may have included the collection of seeds, pressed plants, and detailed notes on the habitats and uses of various species by local communities.
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Entomological Collections: Insects were another area of interest for Schlegel. He collected beetles, butterflies, and other insects, which were highly prized by European naturalists. The study of insects (entomology) was a popular scientific pursuit in the 19th century, and Schlegel's collections would have added to the understanding of African insect diversity.
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Ornithological Collections: Birds were also a focus of Schlegel's work. Southern Africa is home to a rich variety of bird species, many of which were poorly known to European scientists at the time. Schlegel's collections of bird specimens, including skins and eggs, would have been valuable for ornithological studies.
Legacy of Schlegel's Naturalist Work
Schlegel's contributions to natural history remain significant. His collections and observations provide valuable insights into the biodiversity of southern Africa during a period of rapid environmental change. Many of the species he collected may no longer exist in their original habitats due to habitat destruction, climate change, and other pressures, making his work an important historical record.
Schlegel's naturalist work also highlights the complex relationship between science and colonialism. While his contributions to natural history were undoubtedly valuable, they were made possible by the colonial structures that enabled European exploration and exploitation of Africa. Modern scholars continue to grapple with the legacy of 19th-century naturalists like Schlegel, recognizing both their scientific achievements and the ethical implications of their work.
In summary, Emil Schlegel's work as a naturalist was an important aspect of his career, reflecting the 19th-century European fascination with the natural world. His collections and observations contributed to the scientific understanding of African biodiversity, but they must also be understood within the context of colonialism. Schlegel's legacy as a naturalist is a reminder of the intertwined histories of science, exploration, and empire.
Related Readings
1. Books on Missionaries and Natural History in Africa
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"Missionary Scientists in Colonial Africa" by Patrick Harries (2007)
This book explores the role of missionaries in the scientific exploration of Africa, including their contributions to natural history, ethnography, and linguistics. Schlegel's work may be mentioned in the context of other missionary naturalists. -
"The Imperial Scientist: Missionaries and Knowledge in Southern Africa" by John M. MacKenzie (1990)
This work discusses the intersection of missionary activities and scientific exploration in southern Africa during the colonial period. -
"Science and Society in Southern Africa" edited by Saul Dubow (2000)
This collection of essays examines the relationship between science, society, and colonialism in southern Africa, including the role of missionaries in natural history. -
"Missionaries, Scientists, and the Natural World in Southern Africa" by Brett M. Bennett (2013)
This book focuses on the contributions of missionaries to the study of the natural world in southern Africa, with potential references to figures like Schlegel.
2. Books on Colonial Natural History
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"Imperial Nature: Joseph Hooker and the Practices of Victorian Science" by Jim Endersby (2008)
While this book focuses on Joseph Hooker, a prominent 19th-century botanist, it provides context for the broader practices of natural history collection and colonial science during Schlegel's time. -
"Colonial Botany: Science, Commerce, and Politics in the Early Modern World" edited by Londa Schiebinger and Claudia Swan (2005)
This book explores the role of botany in colonial expansion, including the work of missionaries and explorers in collecting plant specimens. -
"The Ark and Beyond: The Evolution of Zoo and Aquarium Conservation" edited by Ben A. Minteer, Jane Maienschein, and James P. Collins (2018)
This book discusses the history of natural history collections, including the role of missionaries and explorers in gathering specimens.
3. Books on African Exploration and Colonialism
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"The Scramble for Africa: White Man's Conquest of the Dark Continent from 1876 to 1912" by Thomas Pakenham (1991)
This comprehensive history of European colonialism in Africa provides context for Schlegel's work during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. -
"Exploration and Empire: The Explorer and the Scientist in the Winning of the American West"by William H. Goetzmann (1966)
While focused on the American West, this book provides insights into the broader trends of exploration and scientific discovery during the 19th century, which are relevant to Schlegel's work in Africa. -
"The Dark Continent: Africa as Seen by Europeans" by John Gunther (1955)
This book provides a historical overview of European perceptions of Africa, including the role of missionaries and explorers.
4. Books on Ethnography and Linguistics
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"The Languages of Africa" by Joseph Greenberg (1963)
This classic work on African linguistics may provide context for Schlegel's contributions to the study of African languages. -
"Ethnography and the Historical Imagination" by John L. Comaroff and Jean Comaroff (1992)
This book explores the relationship between ethnography and colonialism, including the work of missionaries in documenting African cultures.
5. Books on Southern African History
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"A History of Southern Africa" by Neil Parsons (1993)
This book provides a comprehensive history of southern Africa, including the role of missionaries and explorers in the region. -
"The Cambridge History of South Africa" edited by Carolyn Hamilton, Bernard K. Mbenga, and Robert Ross (2010)
This multi-volume work covers the history of South Africa, including the colonial period and the activities of missionaries.
6. Archival and Reference Works
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"Missionary Archives and the Study of African History" by Andrew C. Ross (1986)
This article (or similar works) may provide guidance on accessing missionary records related to figures like Schlegel. -
"The Berlin Missionary Society and Its Impact on Southern Africa" by Klaus Fiedler (1996)
This book focuses on the Berlin Missionary Society, with which Schlegel was associated, and may include references to his work.
7. General Reference Books
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"Dictionary of African Christian Biography" (online resource)
This database includes entries on missionaries who worked in Africa, and Schlegel may be mentioned. -
"Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions" by Gerald H. Anderson (1999)
This reference work includes entries on missionaries from various denominations and regions, including Africa.
How to Find More Information
If you are specifically looking for references to Emil Schlegel, I recommend:
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Searching academic databases like JSTOR, Google Scholar, or Project MUSE using keywords such as "Emil Schlegel," "missionary naturalists," or "Berlin Missionary Society."
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Consulting archives such as the Berlin Missionary Society Archives, Museum für Naturkunde (Berlin), or Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
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Reaching out to scholars specializing in the history of missionaries, colonialism, or natural history in Africa.