Advertisement

Wallwerk Meets Stone Work: The Bladder Meets the Moon in the Eyes of Franz von Paula Gruithuisen

Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: FRII-08
Sources of Funding: None

Introduction

Franz von Paula Gruithuisen lived a life of inquiry. Through opportunity bore out of service to his country of Austria he forged his way into the medical ranks. Through his favored relationships with royalty he was able to reach for the stars. An unbridled mind of inquiry - we sought to tell his story, where impossible dreams transcend space.

Methods

Information was obtained through original works, translated to English; as well as accounts of his personal life through German and Austrian historical works.

Results

Franz von Paula Gruithuisen was born March 19th, 1774 in Upper Bavaria. The son a falconer from Holland and a sculptor; it is no surprise that his life would be spent looking to the skies and marveled by stone. _x000D_ He took quickly to the study of medicine and treatment of the human body while living in Landsberg (modern Germany) serving as a Barber's Apprentice. At the age of 14 he volunteered for the Austrian Army to serve as an assistant of the Field Surgeon in the Austro-Turkish War. Upon completion of his service, Prince Karl Theodor took special interest in von Paula Gruituisen bringing him into his personal employment in 1792 and eventually sponsoring his scholarship at university. He received a magnitude of awards for his works. _x000D_ In March of 1813 he published his works, "Should one abandon the long-standing hope of one day being able to remove stones in the bladder by mechanical or chemical means?" thereby laying his foundation for the transurethral destruction and removal of bladder calculi. He had postulated that stone destruction could be achieved by a variety of methods: washing of the stone with water, mechanical crushing, chemical dissolving, and galvanic pulverization. He drew heavily from his works across the natural sciences. In 1813 he tested his method by passing a straight tube into the bladder for drilling. His illustrations and instruments would serve as the scaffolding for lithotists to follow._x000D_ In 1826 King Ludwig I of Bavaria nominated Dr. Gruithuisen as an Extraordinary Professor of Astronomy, leading to von Gruithuisen forgoing his medical endeavors in order to focus on his astrological research. Gruithuisen's Crater was named in honor of his dedication to the study the moon._x000D_

Conclusions

Franz von Paula Gruithuisen pioneering work in transurethral bladder stone destruction served as the ground work for generations of urologist who followed. With one foot on the earth and his eyes turned to the stars, he dreamed about what may lie beyond our world. His lifelong pursuit of investigation is one to be admired and emulated.

Funding

None

Authors
Joseph Mahon
Charles Welliver
Mark White
back to top