gms | German Medical Science

76th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

04.05. - 08.05.2005, Erfurt

The contributions of Otto Körner to the establishment of hygenic measures in the Oto-Rhino-Laryngology at the end of the 19th century

Meeting Abstract

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  • corresponding author Katrin Neumann - HNO-Klinik Rostock, Rostock
  • Antje Grüschow - HNO-Klinik Rostock, Rostock
  • Burkhart Kramp - HNO-Klinik Rostock, Rostock

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie. 76. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie e.V.. Erfurt, 04.-08.05.2005. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2005. Doc05hno226

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/hno2005/05hno006.shtml

Published: September 22, 2005

© 2005 Neumann et al.
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Outline

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Introduction: Hygenic measures in the patient treatment can be retraced into the antiquity and the ancient world. Around 1774 the first disinfectant was made of diluted chlorine solution and used. The names Pasteur, Lister, Semmelweis and Koch are inseparably connected with the scientific developments in the area of hygiene.

Methods: The contributions of Otto Körner to the establishment of hygenic measures are analyzed using his publications and the description of hygenic basic principles with the establishment of the first hospital for ear and laryngeal medicine in Rostock in 1899 and compared with the hygiene regimes of other hospitals.

Results: Most instruments developed at Otto Körner`s times were manufactured from not boiling-resistant material. Ear bandage for the protection of the environment from the bacterial impu-rities were not used. The establishment of its own HNO hospital made it possible for Körner to bring in its requirements to hygenic principles into the architecture of the building and the instrumental equipment, too. His goal was to adapt the well-known aseptical methods to the needs of the otology, rhinology and laryngology. Thus it excited the attention at home and abroad. His standards quickly found imitation everywhere.

Conclusions: Nowadays, at a time of the increasing resistances of bacteria the basic principles recommended by Otto Körner also furthermore possess their full validity in our field of activity.