Rudolf Virchow was born 200 years ago. He was a world-famous pathologist, politician, hygienist, social reformer – and the sewer system in Berlin can also be traced back to him.
from
Werner Bartens
Which name could seriously be shortlisted? Hendrik Streeck, Melanie Brinkmann or Christian Drosten? Or that of Karl Lauterbach, Philipp Rösler or one of these research doctors whose names you forgot again? The list of scientists who spoke up during the pandemic and of those who went into politics as doctors and wanted to become health ministers (Lauterbach) or were (Rösler) shows how unfair it is to try to talk to Rudolf Compare Virchow. His versatility as a doctor, social hygienist and anthropologist, his undisputed class as a researcher and pathologist, his influence on politics as well as on people’s everyday life and his high reputation: this combination is unmatched to this day.