Louis Muskens: a leading figure in the history of Dutch and world epileptology.
In the history of Dutch neurology Muskens has a place in his own right. Elderly neurologists still attest to the special fame of Muskens. He held a strong opinion on developing the specialty of neurology independent of psychiatry. At the same time he maintained that surgery of the nervous system also should be included in the realm of neurology. These views met with considerable opposition from colleagues and led to Muskens' isolation. To the field of epileptology he contributed both clinical and experimental neurological studies. With Donath he was the co-founder of the International League Against Epilepsy in 1909. In addition he held a lifelong interest in the pathophysiology of forced movements, which he studied both in human pathology and in experimental studies throughout the vertebrate series. This resulted in his magnum opus on the supravestibular system in 1935. His scientific work was well received in scientific societies all over Europe.
Eling
Paul
P
Department of Psychology, University of Nijmegen, PO Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Eling@nici.kun.nl
Keyser
Antoine
A
D000818:Animals; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D009426:Netherlands; D009462:Neurology / Q000266:history; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000502:physiology