Magyar Hírek, 1983 (36. évfolyam, 1-26. szám)
1983-07-23 / 14-15. szám
ABOUT THIS ISSUE A WORLD CONFERENCE OF HUNGARIAN DOCTORS It is diff icult for the editor to chose those items of news from Hungary that are most likely to interest the greatest possible number of readers. Such concerning international cooperation which are at the centre of attention of all longing for a peaceful life in Hungary and elsewhere must surely be included. What János Szentágothai President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, had to say about the conference of medical practitioners to be held this summer in Budapest is an example. The Hungarian text of the interview was printed in No. 8. The conference is intended to serve international understanding as well as the progress of medicine. Tibor Pethő’s article on Hungarian foreign policy, is another. The furthering of the national interest is a major feature of Hungarian foreign policy as well as the awareness of a shared destiny with our neighbours, and the service of peace, the universal interest of mankind. Among the problems at home more economic efficiency is the most important at the present, in order to maintain established positions in the current, difficult situation of the world economy and a standard of living that is the fruit of hard work over many years. The way of reaching this target leads through carrying on the economic reform., strengthening initiative and innovation, and giving more play to the talents and those prepared to work hard. A good example is a new Hungarian drug Cavinton, which is about to be marketed world-wide. The team responsible was recently awarded the State Prize (See also pp. 26 —27). One of our articles tells about them. Perhaps I might mention that the Hungarian part of the paper reports on the development of the network of roads in Hungary, which is part of the modernization of the infrastructure (See pp. 16—19). Hungarian culture is a strong tie among Hungarians wherever they may live. We are publishing some news on Hungarian cultural events in various parts of the world. The Pécs museum of Tivadar Csontváry is discussed in the Hungarian pages (pp. 32—33) and those who do not read Hungarian are also sure to enjoy the reproductions of his magic-realist, canvases. Contemporary art is not left out; a new Hungarian film recalls the events of nineteen fiftysix, and presents the human story of those days as seen from the angle of two young boys. The recently published memoirs of Hilda Gobbi, the actress, recall the stormy and sunny times of half a century. Both of these are reviewed in English. May I call your attention to an article on Martin Luther’s will which is in Hungary. The Luther anniversary this year lends particular timeliness to this article which appears both in Hungarian (pp. 36 —37) and in English, in a slightly abbreviated form. The story of how Luther’s will became the property of the Hungarian Lutheran Church and how the brave and bold leaders of this Church succeeded in keeping it here even in Hitler’s time, is not only timely but dramatic and interesting. Finally, I should like to mention a new and important work of art, which was unveiled in Budapest recently ,, Man-bird”, apiece of sculpture by Pierre Székely, the eminent Hungarian artist who lives in France, which is a tribute to human creativity and men’s desire for peace. (See illustration on cover, interview on p-5-) n P , r 7 The President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the neuro-anatomist János Szentágothai is one of the sponsors of the forthcoming Budapest Scientific Conference of Hungarian Medical Practitioners, and I interviewed him on this occasion. What was the basic concept which gave rise to this meeting of medical practitioners? — I asked Professor Szentágothai. When I visited the United States in the midsixties, the psychological phenomena and inner struggles that usually accompany resettlement were still evident in the talks I had with colleagues who had left Hungary in a few years earlier, and also a certain reserve vis (l vis Hungarian scientific life. The approchement, however, lias been mutual and continuous in the time that passed since then, between Hungarian scientists and centres of research, and compatriot colleagues abroad. We mutually acknowledge each others achievements and the fact that many of them became scientists of international renown after a start in Hungarian schools makes us really proud. The Academy has several honorary members among Hungarian born medical scientists in different countries. Besides them there are several hundred — or several thousand — practicioners who made a name for themselves, and enhanced the reputation of the Hungarian medical schools in American, Western European, or Israeli clinics. I thought that a meeting with the Hungarian doctors who are practising, living, and researching all over the world may further reinforce ties, and prove useful for all who take part. But this is not as the usual kind of conference, which usefully examines a narrow specialised field. Nonetheless, the conference to be held in August lias met with great international interest. It is true that the event is really unique, since it is not a particular field of research but common Hungarian origin that brings us together. Yet I expect quite a bit from the meeting even from the professional angle, and the number of the registrations suggests that I am not the only one to do so. Since the description of the subjects of the five sections also embraces a number of special areas, those who will contribute papers will surely try to present subjects appealing to a wide interest. What considerations formed the basis of selecting the subjects of the sectional meetings? It appears to me that medical history and scientific theory (1st section) is enjoying growing popularity. That is that medical-biological research — similarly to that in physics — increasingly indicate that everything is connected with everything somewhere in the depths, that theories are more and more complex, and there is a strong tendency for finding, and describing the general rules. The subject of the second section is Society and Public Health. The reason for the section Biology and Pathology is that this field has a considerable tradition — thanks to, for instance, the Szent- Györgyi or the Beznak schools—and numerous eminent Hungarian practitioners all over the world. The same holds true also for Diagnostics and Pharmaceutical Therapy, while Surgical Diagnostics and Therapy offers countless novelties, splendid achievements nowadays, and is regarded as one of the most important fields of modern medicine. Has Hungarian medicine and medical history any special features? To the degree, I think, that progress has always been determined fundamentally by the circumstances and opportunities of the day. But the many unexpected advances of geniuses coming from just about nothing, in the history of the Hungarian medicine may be regarded as characteristic. To mention only two examples besides Ignác Semmelweis; there was János Balassa, the Chief Medical Officier of the 1848—49 Revolution, and Sándor Lumniczer, who was staff medical officer of the supreme commander of the Hungarian army, Arthur Görgey, and chief of the medical department of the Ministry of War. They used cloroform for anaesthesis already then and this method was not used yet in the American Civil War. Personally I also think that a great degree of openness characterized Hungarian medical practitioners: a vivid interest in subjects far away from their profession, yet of vital importance, and a strong attraction towards the arts. We cannot claim a monopoly there though it would he flattering. Openness, and wide interests is part of the medical character all over the world, owing to the peculiarities of the profession. ISTVÁN BALÁZS János Szentágothai presiding, at the General Meeting of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences 1 Mgr . 7'77’ j § JKL £)mg n Jjjf i 1 ffcN ” If i| i 52 »
