Heidelberg University awarded Hermann Arthur Thost his medical doctorate in 1879, marking the start of a clinical career that would span the German Reich. Born in Zwickau in 1854, Thost spent decades contributing to the fields of otolaryngology and pathology before his death in Hamburg in 1937 at the age of 83.
Early Career and Pathology
After graduating from Heidelberg, Thost remained at the institution to work as an assistant to pathologist Nikolaus Friedreich. During his early years of practice, he focused on dermatological observations, specifically documenting a hereditary condition characterized by thickening of the skin on the palms and soles. He published his findings on this rare disorder in 1880 under the title Über erbliche Ichtyosis palmaris et plantaris cornea. This research resulted in the eponym Unna-Thost syndrome, which he shared with dermatologist Paul Gerson Unna.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Clinical Focus and Academic Appointments
Thost transitioned into otolaryngology, eventually securing a position associated with the General Hospital in Eppendorf. In 1919, he received an appointment as an associate professor at the University of Hamburg. Throughout his academic tenure, he maintained a membership with the Corps Rhenania Würzburg. Beyond his research, Thost engaged in local political activity, where he advocated for the implementation and expansion of public medical insurance systems.
Professional Publications
His written work concentrated on the mechanics of the respiratory system and the effects of pressure on sensory organs. In 1911, he published a study regarding airway complications following tracheotomy, which featured a foreword by Hermann Kümmell. Two years later, he produced a text on using X-ray imaging to visualize the larynx. In 1928, he addressed trauma to the ear resulting from fluctuating air pressure, adding to his existing body of work concerning the treatment of mucous membrane catarrh in the upper respiratory tract.
Fast facts
- Born: 1854, Zwickau
- Died: 1937, Hamburg
- Citizenship: German Reich
- Education: Heidelberg University
- Primary Fields: Medicine, Otolaryngology
- Professional Member: Corps Rhenania Würzburg
- Notable Eponym: Unna-Thost syndrome
Questions readers ask
What is the Unna-Thost syndrome?
It is a rare hereditary disorder affecting the palms and soles, which Thost described in an 1880 paper.
Where did Thost hold his professorship?
He was appointed as an associate professor of otolaryngology at the University of Hamburg in 1919.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Hamburg
- Fields: medicine and otolaryngology
