Varga Benedek szerk.: Orvostörténeti közlemények 147-148. (Budapest, 1994)

TANULMÁNYOK - ESSAYS - Antall József: Az orvostörténelem helyzete Magyarországon (magyar és angol nyelven)

Közlemények has been published in co-operation by the Semmelweis Museum, Library and Archives and by the of Hungarian Society for the History of Medicine. I would not like to detail the activities of the SOMKL and the Society, its numerous exhibitions and various services. Nevertheless, I think it is worth to mention, that the SOMKL and the Society have produced a modest but solid base for researches, urged for the introduction of medical historical scholarship into university curriculum and supported the projects of the MTA. Speaking about university education, we should investigate it faculty by faculty. To start with the Faculty of Medicine of the SOTE we can welcome the special lectures on the history of medical thinking. These lectures were given by Gyula Regöly-Mérei and Endre Réti. Unfortunately, as the lecturers had retired the course was ended up. At the Faculty of Dentistry of the SOTE the introduction of optional courses went smoothly. There was a period at the Faculty of Pharmaceutics of the SOTE when the history of pharmaceutics was a compulsory subject, (taught by Professor Halmai) but it has been removed from the curriculum later. During the last years — as a result of the increased activities of the enthusiastic members of the Society — there are compulsory lectures within the courses of health organization, and optional lectures on medical history, and even a textbook has been published there. At the Faculty of Dentistry of the SOTE the education continued and was strengthened with a textbook too. In recent years the lectures have been renewed at the Faculty of Pharmaceutics of the SOTE. As the students of this faculty are required to write a thesis for their "Dr.pharm." title, the history of pharmaceutics luckily appeared among the topics of dissertations, especially for those who are specialized on public health and pharmaceutical organization studies. Other medical universities all around the country (that is to say at Debrecen, Szeged and Pécs) follow a similar line, by preferring optional courses to those of compulsory ones. I probably should not emphasize that these are altogether unsatisfactory, and there are likely many medical students who have not realized the mere existence of these lectures. Another problem is with those who would like to write a dissertation on medical history. In lack of a chair or department of the subject they should either contact historical departments at the faculties of arts, or try medical universities. Post-graduate studies have also limited possibilities, though there were a few courses and introductory lectures organized by the OTKI and the SOMKL. To present a detailed picture of medical historical scholarship I should mention the case of studies on more recent subjects, i.e. on the development of medical branches of the last decades. We have already contacted other member societies of the MOTESZ, to promote historical elaboration on these areas (surgery, obstetrics, etc.), since — especially in the development of the last decades — it could only be carried out on any higher standard by specialists of each Field. Unfortunately it did not produce serious collaboration, except the papers of the International Congress on Medical History, for which we are certainly grateful

. Our best co-operations so far has been maintained with the Hungarian Pharmaceutical Society, which works together on medical history with our Society. Nevertheless we keep trying to make contacts with the MTA and the Associations of Technical and Scientific Societies as well. These facts are needed to anyone to have a detailed picture about the situation of medical historical scholarship in Hungary, in order to require appropriate standards from those who wish to publish in the HORUS. There is probably no need to mention, that publications in academic journals or papers are not profitable in terms of finances. The Orvostörténeti Közlemények does not pay any royalties and only give copies of separates for the contributors of their own articles. The Orvosi Hetilap, on the other hand, can afford some smaller amounts of payments. Consequently, many historians prefer to publish in daily newspapers, or general educational magazines, which anyhow can pay a bit more. Almost all medical historians, including physicians, museologists, librarians, etc.

, carry out researches as a hobby. Oddly enough, their publications do not contribute for receiving a post. There is not any direct advantage for such researches; enthusiasm and scientific interest remain the only driving force and not the possibility of a splendid career. It is almost a miracle that there are still that many persons in this country, who without the prospect