Szemészet, 2004 (141. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2004-06-01 / 2. szám
1 141. évfolyam (2004) 191 In October 1932 a special issue of “Szemészet” was published as Issue no. 22 of “Orvosképzés” (journal of the Central Committee for Further Training in Medicine). The purpose was to publish the full text of that year’s Schulek Memorial Lecture, which had been given at the annual meeting held on 10-12 June. The lecture, commissioned by the Society, was given by Leo Liebermann, the Society President. In his introduction, he said: “The Hungarian Ophthalmological Society has for many years honoured the memory of Vilmos Schulek, who achieved for Hungarian ophthalmology what Frigyes Korányi did for internal medicine; namely, raised it to match the best European standards. Thanks to him, Hungarian ophthalmology has achieved world-wide respect, and a professional reputation equal to that in the most advanced nations.” His paper also contains many points of interest in respect of ophthalmology, surgery, and the history of medicine. In 1935 the Society’s journal was still being published as a supplement to the general medical weekly journal, “Orvosi Hetilap”. The editors had been Hirschler (for 7 years), Schulek (15 years), and Grósz (30 years). The last-named period was characterised as follows: “Of those 30 years, 10 years were an era of development; and 20 years a time of struggle.” In 1935 a special number appeared to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Emil Grosz’s teaching career. The articles, written by his former students, were dedicated to him. They are 31 in number, and cover the whole field of ophthalmology. This issue includes an article by Blaskovics on inverse cyclodialysis, and several articles on strabismus. Other articles deal with, among other topics: the so-called “milk therapy” for inflammation, techniques for visual-competency testing, injury-compensation questions, an analysis of 15 000 cataract surgeries, and the pioneering Dallos “invisible contactspectacles”. Although “Szemészet” was not published regularly, scientific sessions continued to be held during the year, as well as the annual general assemblies. Emil Grósz in a 1938 editorial article wrote: “At the meetings of the Society a steady stream of young professionals present the fruits of their labours. The opportunity for comparison is a spur to ever-higher achievement.” In 1938 József Imre reported his experiences with corneal transplantation. At the scientific session held on 1 October 1938 he projected a ciné-film, made in colour, documenting one such operation performed by him. In those days, this was indeed a pioneering achievement in documentation technique. It was customary at the October meeting to commemorate the members who had passed away during the year. That year the names were Zoltán Somogyi, and the tragic case of the young Dr. Klára Incze, shot by a mentally-disturbed patient. The Hungarian medical profession had its well-established professional association, the “Orvosi Kamara”. The Ophthalmological Society debated the topic of fees for medical services. There was then a different scale of fees for Budapest and for the provinces, and the Society made a protest to the “Orvosi Kamara” against this practice. The Executive Committee decided that “Szemészet” should be published twice a year. It was also decided to seek sponsorship by means of advertising in order to provide financial support for the publication costs. Also at this time, the proposal was made to issue the Blaskovics Medal, in commemoration of the recently-deceased professor. In 1939 the Society held two scientific sessions. Four lectures were delivered in March, and two on 8 July, during the so-called “Week of Hungarian Medicine” (“Magyar Orvosi Nagyhét”). The general meeting of 1939 was held on 7-8 October, with 61 members present. The then Secretary-General, Béla Pelláthy, gave the introductory address, which I quote to give a flavour of the political climate of the period: “The return to the mother-country of our Hungarian compatriots in Upper Hungary has been achieved, and likewise the re-annexation of the sub-Carpathian region in the spring of this year. This represents the partial realisation of the ardent wish of every true Hungarian... Soon will come the time when full justice for Hungary will be achieved.” It must also be recorded that in this year, probably in consequence of the ever more ominous political situation, the former President, Leo Liebermann, died in tragic circumstances. He was 55. At the general assembly the Society officials were elected. Gábor Ditrói was President, Béla Horváth Vice-President, and István Győrffy Treasurer (the existing Secretary’s term of office had not expired). István Győrffy had become a member in 1938; later in his career he made enormous contributions to the development of Hungarian ophthalmology. In 1940 the Society held two scientific sessions with a total of 7 lectures, as well as the general assembly; the latter was again held not in the spring, but on 5-7 October. On this occasion also, the introductory speaker strayed from professional matters to express his opinion on political developments. In his introductory address, the president Gábor Ditrói said: “That which we have dreamed of for the past 22 years, that for which we have yearned and struggled, has now become reality: a part of our historic Transylvania has been returned to us.” In this year the membership comprised 110 Hungarian and 25 foreign ophthalmologists. The financial balance was 449.92 Pengős. The Blaskovics Medal was struck, but only in a limited edition corresponding to the number awarded; the first medal recipient was Aladár Kettesy. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the professorship of Konrád Albrich (1930-1940), a “Festschrift” volume was published by his friends and former students. The introduction was written by József Imre. Twelve papers contributed by 7 authors are contained in the memorial volume. 1941-1950 The Society did not cease its activities during World War II; there were even reports on scientific advances. A general assembly was held each year, and scientific sessions were held 3 or 4 times a year, in Budapest. Kettesy recalls these years with some enthusiasm: “The sessions, lectures, and discussions were memorable and stimulating events. We came 100 YEARS OF THE HUNGARIAN OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETY
