Varga Benedek szerk.: Orvostörténeti közlemények 149-157. (Budapest, 1996)

TANULMÁNYOK / ARTICLES - Huszár György: Balogh Károly professzor (1895—1973) életútja és iskolája. Születésének centenáriumára. Magyar és angol nyelven

Chief of Stomatology in a Municipal Hospital In July 1940, after five years without affiliation to any institution, Balogh was appointed chief of the newly created Department of Stomatology in the large St. Stephen's Municipal Hospital. For two years this department functioned only as an outpatient clinic, but in 1942, a 17-bed modern section was opened. Planned by Balogh, it was the first department of oral surgery not only in Budapest, but in the country. Here, in addition to patient care, Balogh also started clinical investigative work for which the war years were not favorable. Balogh's publications from this period are mainly in the field of oral surgery. He wrote about care of the wounded on the battlefield, odontogenic diseases, and hospital care of patients with oral diseases. Balogh directed this hospital department until May 1944. Károly Balogh is Appointed Professor The Clinic in the Last Phase of World War II Balogh was appointed chairman and professor in 1944, one of the saddest years of Hungary's history. His appointment came after March 19, the date of the German occupation, but before the Nazi dictatorship starting on October 15. The circumstances surrounding Baloghs appointment have been published in the obituaries of Béla Simon (37) and Balogh (39). The following are just a few of the more significant details: After the death of the previous chairman, Dénes Máthé (1877—1943), the School of Medicine appointed a search committee in 1944. Its chairman was the Dean, Béla Issekutz, and the spokesman was Zoltán Tátrallyay-Wein, Professor of Otorhinolaryngology. At the February 8, 1944 meeting of the search committee, "considering these uncertain times", it was recommended that Balogh be invited to the chairmanship without an official announcement for applications. Among the reasons mentioned for Balogh's invitation was the fact that he was a member of the Order of Gallantry. The recommendation of the search committee was endorsed by a majority vote of the faculty meeting, and was then forwarded for approval to the Secretary of Church Affairs and Education. However, Dr. Jenő'

Szinyei Merse, the Secretary, did not accept the recommendation of the Faculty of Medicine and made the customary announcement in the Official Gazette inviting applications for the chairmanship. The faculty continued to discuss the issue at its next meeting, March 24, 1944, five days after the German occupation. A total of eight applications were submitted: Of these candidates, Balogh received most votes, Dezső Hattyasy obtained the second and Gusztáv Morelli the third most votes. Since István Antal, the Secretary of Education of the new cabinet under Prime Minister Sztajay, had accepted the recommendation of the Faculty of Medicine, Balogh was officially appointed Chairman of Stomatology on May 6, 1944. In the spring of 1944, when Balogh became chairman, it was obvious that the German war machine was close to collapse, yet many leaders of our scientific and university community hid in their ivory towers and continued to work as usual. The annihilation of a number of our colleagues had already started, yet there was not a word referring to it in Fogorvosi Szemle (Dentistry Review), the official publication of the Society of Hungarian Dentists. In the May issue of Fogorvosi Szemle, the editor, Endre Padányi, warmly welcomes Balogh on the occasion of his appointment to the chair: ' 'Prof. Balogh is a man deeply imbued with professiona-