Paul Gottlieb Werlhof
Encyclopedia
Paul Gottlieb Werlhof was a German
physician
and poet
who was a native of Helmstedt
.
He studied medicine at the University of Helmstedt
under Lorenz Heister
(1683–1758) and Brandanus Meibom (1678–1740), who was the son of Heinrich Meibom (1638–1700). After completing his studies, he practiced medicine in Peine
for four years, and in 1725 moved to Hannover, where he became one of the more influential physicians in Europe
. In 1740 was appointed Königlicher Leibarzt, physician to Hannover royalty
. Werlhof would remain in Hannover until his death in 1767.
In 1735, Werlhof presented the first description of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
(ITP), a bleeding disorder. In addition to his reputation as a physician, Werlhof was highly regarded as a poet, and was a good friend of anatomist Albrecht von Haller
(1708–1777), who was also an accomplished poet. Werlhof composed his poems and hymn
s in German
, while his medical treatise
s were written in Latin
. Among his written works were a 1732 treatise on fever
s called Observationes de febribus, and a collection of poetry titled Gedichte.
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
who was a native of Helmstedt
Helmstedt
Helmstedt is a city located at the eastern edge of the German state of Lower Saxony. It is the capital of the District of Helmstedt. Helmstedt has 26,000 inhabitants . In former times the city was also called Helmstädt....
.
He studied medicine at the University of Helmstedt
University of Helmstedt
The University of Helmstedt, official Latin name: Academia Julia , was a university in Helmstedt in the Duchy of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel that existed from 1576 until 1810....
under Lorenz Heister
Lorenz Heister
Lorenz Heister was a German anatomist, surgeon and botanist born in Frankfurt am Main....
(1683–1758) and Brandanus Meibom (1678–1740), who was the son of Heinrich Meibom (1638–1700). After completing his studies, he practiced medicine in Peine
Peine
Peine is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany, capital of the district Peine. It is situated on the river Fuhse and the Mittellandkanal, approx. 25 km west of Braunschweig, and 40 km east of Hanover.- History :...
for four years, and in 1725 moved to Hannover, where he became one of the more influential physicians in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. In 1740 was appointed Königlicher Leibarzt, physician to Hannover royalty
Royal family
A royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term imperial family appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate to describe the relatives of a reigning...
. Werlhof would remain in Hannover until his death in 1767.
In 1735, Werlhof presented the first description of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is the condition of having an abnormally low platelet count of no known cause . As most incidents of ITP appear to be related to the production of antibodies against platelets, immune thrombocytopenic purpura or immune thrombocytopenia are terms also used to...
(ITP), a bleeding disorder. In addition to his reputation as a physician, Werlhof was highly regarded as a poet, and was a good friend of anatomist Albrecht von Haller
Albrecht von Haller
Albrecht von Haller was a Swiss anatomist, physiologist, naturalist and poet.-Early life:He was born of an old Swiss family at Bern. Prevented by long-continued ill-health from taking part in boyish sports, he had the more opportunity for the development of his precocious mind...
(1708–1777), who was also an accomplished poet. Werlhof composed his poems and hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
s in German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, while his medical treatise
Treatise
A treatise is a formal and systematic written discourse on some subject, generally longer and treating it in greater depth than an essay, and more concerned with investigating or exposing the principles of the subject.-Noteworthy treatises:...
s were written in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
. Among his written works were a 1732 treatise on fever
Fever
Fever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...
s called Observationes de febribus, and a collection of poetry titled Gedichte.