Rinecker, franz von

Franz von Rinecker (died January 3, 1811, in Scheßlitz near Bamberg; † February 21, 1883, in Würzburg) was one of the most prominent German physicians of the 19th century and a defining figure at the Würzburg School of Medicine.

Franz von Rinecker was an internist, pharmacologist, pediatrician, psychiatrist, and dermatologist—a general practitioner in an era when medical specialties were just beginning to emerge.

His most important achievements:

• 1838: At the age of just 27, he became a full professor of pharmacology and outpatient clinic at the University of Würzburg.
• 1842: Co-founder of the Institute of Physiology.
• 1850: Founder of the world’s first independent university pediatric clinic.
• 1863: Assumed directorship of the Psychiatric Clinic at the Juliusspital.

In April 1872, by “His Majesty’s Highest Command,” he founded an independent department for syphilis and skin diseases, which von Rinecker developed into an independent university hospital.

1845 and 1866: Rector of the University of Würzburg; also served six times as dean of the Faculty of Medicine.

His significance for dermatology:

• Rinecker is of particular interest to the history of German dermatology because he was among the early university professors who established skin and sexually transmitted diseases as an independent clinical specialty.
• His research focused in particular on syphilis and its transmissibility.
• Medical-ethical controversy: In 1852, he conducted transmission experiments using syphilitic material on two physicians and a boy suffering from epilepsy. He was later reprimanded by the university for conducting experiments on the child, who was unable to give consent.

Rinecker’s significance in the history of science is noteworthy. He played a key role in securing the appointments of Rudolf Virchow and Albert von Kölliker to Würzburg. In doing so, he contributed significantly to Würzburg’s development into one of Germany’s leading medical research centers in the 19th century. Rinecker himself belonged to the generation that ushered in the transition from medicine rooted in natural philosophy to science-based, experimental medicine. In Würzburg, he was also a student of Johann Lukas Schönlein.

1. Keil, G. (2003): Rinecker, Franz von. *Neue Deutsche Biographie*. Vol. 21, pp. 628–629.

2. Olk J et al. (2019) Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology at the University Hospital of Würzburg: Past and Present. Akt Dermatol 45: 14–23 

3. Pfeffer R (1981): Professor Franz von Rinecker (1811–1883). Medical dissertation, University of Würzburg.

4. Vollmuth R et al. (2003) Continuity and Progress: Würzburg Medicine Through the Centuries. A Contribution to the 600th Anniversary of the Founding of the University of Würzburg. Würzbg Medizinhist Mitt. 22:7–20.