August Lucae
Encyclopedia
Johann Constantin August Lucae (August 24, 1835 - March 17, 1911) was a German otologist who was a native of Berlin
.
He studied medicine in Berlin
and Bonn
, and in 1859 earned his doctorate. He furthered his studies in London
with Joseph Toynbee
(1815-1866), and later returned to Berlin, where he worked in Virchow's
pathological
institute. In 1871 he became an associate professor, and in 1874 was director of the university policlinic for ear diseases. In 1899 Lucae became a full professor of otology
at the University of Berlin.
Lucae made numerous contributions in the field of otology, and is remembered for his pioneer studies involving the transmission of sound via bone conduction
for diagnosis of ear disease. He is credited with introducing an "interference otoscope
", an apparatus he developed to determine the relative amount of reflection
from both ears.
His name is associated with several instruments used in otology, including the "Lucae pressure probe", a device which uses vibratory massage for treatment of the middle ear
in cases of progressive deafness.
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
.
He studied medicine in Berlin
Humboldt University of Berlin
The Humboldt University of Berlin is Berlin's oldest university, founded in 1810 as the University of Berlin by the liberal Prussian educational reformer and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt, whose university model has strongly influenced other European and Western universities...
and Bonn
University of Bonn
The University of Bonn is a public research university located in Bonn, Germany. Founded in its present form in 1818, as the linear successor of earlier academic institutions, the University of Bonn is today one of the leading universities in Germany. The University of Bonn offers a large number...
, and in 1859 earned his doctorate. He furthered his studies in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
with Joseph Toynbee
Joseph Toynbee
Joseph Toynbee was an English otologist, whose career was dedicated to pathological and anatomical studies of the ear.He was born in Heckington, Lincolnshire in 1815....
(1815-1866), and later returned to Berlin, where he worked in Virchow's
Rudolf Virchow
Rudolph Carl Virchow was a German doctor, anthropologist, pathologist, prehistorian, biologist and politician, known for his advancement of public health...
pathological
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
institute. In 1871 he became an associate professor, and in 1874 was director of the university policlinic for ear diseases. In 1899 Lucae became a full professor of otology
Otology
Otology is a branch of biomedicine which studies normal and pathological anatomy and physiology of the ear as well as its diseases, diagnosis and treatment....
at the University of Berlin.
Lucae made numerous contributions in the field of otology, and is remembered for his pioneer studies involving the transmission of sound via bone conduction
Bone conduction
Bone conduction is the conduction of sound to the inner ear through the bones of the skull.Bone conduction is the reason why a person's voice sounds different to him/her when it is recorded and played back. Because the skull conducts lower frequencies better than air, people perceive their own...
for diagnosis of ear disease. He is credited with introducing an "interference otoscope
Otoscope
thumb|right|200px|Otoscope - Image of an otoscope thumb|200px|Anatomy of the human ear.thumb|200px|Right tympanic membrane as seen through a speculum.An Otoscope or auriscope is a medical device which is used to look into the ears...
", an apparatus he developed to determine the relative amount of reflection
Reflection (physics)
Reflection is the change in direction of a wavefront at an interface between two differentmedia so that the wavefront returns into the medium from which it originated. Common examples include the reflection of light, sound and water waves...
from both ears.
His name is associated with several instruments used in otology, including the "Lucae pressure probe", a device which uses vibratory massage for treatment of the middle ear
Middle ear
The middle ear is the portion of the ear internal to the eardrum, and external to the oval window of the cochlea. The mammalian middle ear contains three ossicles, which couple vibration of the eardrum into waves in the fluid and membranes of the inner ear. The hollow space of the middle ear has...
in cases of progressive deafness.
Selected publications
- Die Schallleitung durch die Kopfknochen und ihre Bedeutung für die Diagnostik der Ohrenkrankheiten (Bone Conduction and its Importance for Diagnosis of Ear Diseases), Würzburg, 1870
- Zur Entstehung und Behandlung der subjectiven Gehörsempfindungen (Emergence and Treatment of Subjective Hearing Sensations), Berlin, 1884