Typhus, Famine, and Social Justice in Medicine

Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902), a pioneering professor of medicine and pathology at Berlins Charité Hospital, left an indelible mark on public health through his extensive body of work—over 2000 papers and numerous books. His groundbreaking study of the 1847-1848 typhus epidemic in Upper Silesia not only advanced our understanding of disease but also laid the groundwork for public health practices in Germany. A key figure during the Revolution of 1848, Virchow founded a journal to advocate for the recognition of medicine as a social science. While his contributions to medical knowledge were profound, he also championed the idea that social injustice and political oppression are at the root of many health issues, famously asserting that the physician is the natural attorney of the poor. Join us as we explore Virchows legacy and the intersection of medicine, society, and advocacy. (Summary by Pamela Nagami, M.D.)