Johann Friedrich von Erdmann ja meditsiinitopograafiad Tartu ülikoolis: Johann Friedrich von Erdmann and Medical Topographies at the University of Tartu

• Main Author: Rein, Kaarina
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Tartu Museum 2021
• Subjects: Wittenberg; Russland; Archangelsk
• Online Access: http://ojs.utlib.ee/index.php/TYAK/article/view/18380; https://doi.org/10.15157/tyak.vi49.18380

Johann Friedrich von Erdmann was born in Wittenberg (1778–1846)in the family of high-ranking clergyman. He acquired an excellentknowledge of Latin from his father and older brother. He first studiedtheology at the University of Wittenberg, but switched to medicineafter a year and became a student of Professor Friedrich LudwigKreysig (1770–1839), largely known for his work with cardiologicaldiseases. In 1802 Erdmann defended his doctoral thesis on electrolysistitled Utrum aqua per electricitatem columnae a celeberrimo Voltainventae in elementa sua dissolvatur? at the University of Wittenbergand obtained a degree in medicine and surgery. After the defence ofhis thesis he completed his studies in Vienna under the supervisionof Johann Peter Frank (1747–1821) who was regarded a pioneer inthe field of public health. After his return to Wittenberg in 1804 Erdmannbecame Professor of Pathology and Therapy at the local university.In 1810 Erdmann was invited to take the post of Professor of Medicineat Kazan University in Russia. Erdmann accepted the invitationand as he had no knowledge of Russian, he delivered his lecturesat Kazan University in Latin. In addition to his posts of professorand dean of the medical faculty (1814–1817), Erdmann was in chargeof inspecting schools at the governorate of Saratov, Simbirsk, Astrakhan,Perm and Tobolsk. As a member of the school committee, heundertook long journeys to these governorates from 1815 to 1816,familiarising himself with the conditions of schools in Russia and theactivities, habits and traditions of the local people. One of his interestswere mineral springs.On the basis of his impressions of Russia Erdmann compiled amonograph in three volumes, the first part titled Medizinische Topographiedes Gouvernements und der Stadt Kasan, nebst mehrerendarauf Bezug habenden historischen, geographischen, statistischenund ethnographischen Notizen von Dr. Johann Friedrich Erdmann.Beiträge zur Kenntniss des Innern von Russland was printed in 1822in Tartu. It was meant for Germans to study the conditions in theheartland of Russia. The author wrote about different peoples livingin Russia, including Finno-Ugric nations.In 1817 Erdmann was invited to the University of Tartu/Dorpatto take the position of Professor of Pathology, Semeiotics, Therapyand Clinics. He became head of the polyclinic as well. Erdmann's firstperiod of activity in Tartu lasted from 1818 to 1823, after which heheaded to Germany to improve his health. In 1828 he returned toTartu and became Professor of Dietetics, Pharmaceutics, History ofMedicine and Medical Literature. He was also Dean of the Faculty ofMedicine and head of the Institute of Professors. Erdmann retired in1843 and returned to Germany, where he died in Wiesbaden in 1846.After Erdmann's first period of professorship, several medical topographicaldissertations were written and defended at the Universityof Tartu from 1823 to 1848. Thus, in 1823 a medical topographywas compiled about Tartu, followed by dissertations about Riga(1828), Archangelsk (1828), Tallinn (1836), Greece (1836), Courland(1838) and Orenburg (1848).Erdmann may have had an influence on the structure of theseworks, starting with the history, demographics and climate of thechosen location. The works frequently include interesting aspectsabout ethnographical details, as well as hints about the local languages.Erdmann’s monograph from 1822 was mostly quoted when theauthor of a dissertation described Russian people and their lifestyle.Erdmann's attitude towards different nations was rather liberal,whereas in the dissertations presented in Tartu local people wereoften criticised.Future research topics may include the further analysis of Erdmann'swork and correspondence as well researching the medicaltopographies presented in Tartu from an ethnological point of view.