Palla Ákos szerk.: Az Országos Orvostörténeti Könyvtár közleményei 24. (Budapest, 1962)

Dr. Berndorfer Alfréd: A veleszületett rendellenesség pathogenesise történelmi szemléletben. IV. rész

SUMMARY The Pathogenesis of Congenital Malformation from the Historical View-point Part 4 Dr. Alfred Bemdorfer The great medical discoveries of the 19th Century had an effect on the pathogène researchers of congenital malformation and the studies of Darwin were decisively important in the development of biology, genetics and anthropology. The hereditability of congenital malformation was scientifically studied, but objective research work was hindered by many pseudo-scientists, -researchers and -philosophers, who firstly dealt with biological questions from the social and political view-point. While Darwin's statements were avoided, racial arguments emerged. In addition to serious anthropological scientific research work, a racial evaluation has conquered some fields. A problem of superior and inferior races has been formulated, which considers the congenital malformation as an indication of degeneration, for it has been presumed that such irregularities can occur only among the people of an inferior race. This false idea, particularly expounded by the pseudo-philosophers Gobineau and Chamberlain affected the objective thinking of many scientists and some even tried to prove the correctness of this false and harmful conception on the ground of natural science. This theory of "congenital malformation" seemed capable of supporting the opinion of Gobineau and Chamberlain, and resulted in the bloodiest racial pursuit. Serious scientists who dealt with congenital malformations continued their search for the truth and inspire of the obstacles put in front of them by "racial politicians" and racial-biologists, produced important results. Clinical workers came particularly in the foreground because they were visited by