title: [Neisser and the clap].
abstract: In 1879, during his specialization in dermatology, Albert Ludwig Sigesmund Neisser (1855-1916) discovered the bacterial cause of gonorrhoea. The gonococcus - Neisseria gonorrhoea - would, however, not bear his name until 1933. Neisser's early research focused primarily on venereal diseases, syphilis in particular, and on leprosy. Later, as a hygienist, he became a passionate advocate of public clinics for venereal diseases, regulated prostitution, and health education. In 1916, Neisser died of sepsis after lithotripsy for nephrolithiasis. His scientific inheritance includes many publications on a variety of venereal and skin diseases and public health-related topics, and textbooks such as Ikonographia dermatologica and Stereoskopischer Medizinischer Atlas.
authors.affiliation: Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. niels_elbert@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Niels J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Elbert
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Gijn
authors.forename: Joost P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gijselhart
mesh_terms: D003880:Dermatology / Q000266:history*; D005858:Germany; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000266:history*; D013587:Syphilis / Q000266:history