J. Antall szerk.: Medical history in Hungary. Presented to the XXII. International Congress for the History of Medicine / Orvostörténeti Közlemények – Supplementum 4. (Budapest, 1970)

MEDICAL HISTORY IN HUNGARY - J. Antall: Museum Affairs Concerning Medical and Pharmaceutical History in Hungary (in English)

MUSEUM AFFAIRS CONCERNING MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL HISTORY IN HUNGARY by JÓZSEF ANTALL Tn Hungary museum affairs have a special significance in medical history. The only scientific institution of the country having a medical historical character is the Semmelweis Medical Historical Museum and Library, which keeps museum pieces, books, periodicals, and holds archival records. In addition it publishes Orvostörténeti Közlemények (Communicationes de História Artis Medicinae) and also deals with the publication of books on medical history. Consequently all researching activities are based on this institute. (Entrusting on it the duties of a special archive is under consideration.) Unfortunately this unique position goes with disadvantages, too: medical history is not a compulsory part of the curriculum, and there is no medical historical department or institute in the four medical universities of Hungary. Previously it was taught by "private professors" (Privatdoz¡ent) or by associate professors; it had a department and a professor of its own only in the University of Kolozsvár*. At present important decisions are expected in connection with the reform of medical training. (Also for dentists and pharmacists lectures on the history of their professions are delivered by teachers of other departments.) MEDICAL HISTORY AND MUSEUM AFFAIRS IN HUNGARY To a certain extent science-historical museums are in a different position than other museums. Here books, manuscripts, in general "paper-material" have a greater role in research than in other museums. That is why besides the museum pieces we value historical documentary archival material so highly, that is why our institute may appear to be a "museum of paper". That also explains that while in other cases the organizational linking of the museums with the libraries and archives have both supporters and opponents, those who understand the case of the museums of science-history have no doubts about the necessity of close cooperation, or even complete organizational unity. In addition if we consider the small size of such institutions, the principle of combined collections is even demanding. What are the activities of a museum in general, and what are the duties of the * Today Cluj in Roumania. 25