[The concept of "vegetative depression" (1949) by Rudolf Lemke--an obsolete concept?].
OBJECTIVE
In 1949 East German psychiatrist Rudolf Lemke presented his concept of a vegetative, i. e., anxious depression due to a vegetative dysfunction, in which the mental symptoms are dominated and oppressed by somatic complaints.


METHODS
The strengths and weaknesses of Lemke's concept will be analysed with particular reference to earlier, similar theories, such as those by Cimbal, Hempel, and Rosenfeld.


CONCLUSIONS
The fact that, due to the dominance of physical symptoms, many patients suffering from this disease consult a general practitioner even today proves that Lemke dealt with a problem most significant both for psychiatry and general medicine.
Archiv für Leipziger Psychiatriegeschichte, Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universität Leipzig.
Julia
J
Thormann
Hubertus
H
Himmerich
Holger
H
Steinberg
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000266:history*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000266:history*; D005859:Germany, East; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000266:history*; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000266:history*