[Role of the Orvosi Hetilap in the development of Hungarian gastroenterology. Part 3: 1948-1989].
The editions of Orvosi Hetilap published between 1905 and 1944 exceeded the amount of publications of the previous period (1857-1904). Most of the knowledge was transferred from German literature.


OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of papers dealing with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract published in Orvosi Hetilap between 1948 and 1989.


METHODS
The author manually reviewed the journal volumes published between 1948 and 1989. The original articles, journal and book reviews were identified and classified according to their subject and origin. The publication rates of the editorial periods (1857-1904, 1905-1944, 1948-1989, respectively) were statistically compared.


RESULTS
Between 1948 and 1989, a total of 2175 original articles were published about the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, constituting 11.1% of the total publications. There was a continuous increase in the publication rate in the periods studied. Liver and biliary tract diseases were most often studied (24.1%), especially viral hepatitis (18.0%). Endoscopy was studied in 124 articles (4.7%), while radiology achieved a figure of 101 (3.9%). 3965 articles were reviewed from 268 journals, constituting a significant increase as compared to the previous period. 62.2% of the reviews were published in 15 core journals. 52.2% of the journals were English, 39.4% were German, and only 2.9% French. The formerly major German sources were replaced by English literature during the 1960s. The number of book reviews increased from 95 to 211. Endoscopy witnessed the emergence of fiberoptic instruments and, later, video technique. The reception of inflammatory bowel diseases began in 1935 and expanded gradually in the epidemiologic, pathogenetic and therapeutic studies of these conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of gastroenterologic publications in Orvosi Hetilap increased considerably between 1948 and 1989, as compared to the prior periods. English journals became the main source of information in the 1960s.
Buzás
György Miklós
GM
Budapest IX. ker. Szakrendelo Kft. Gasztroenterológia Budapest Mester u. 45. 1095. drgybuzas@hotmail.com
D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000266:history; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000266:history; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000266:history*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000266:history; D018156:Journalism, Medical / Q000266:history*