title: Joseph Plenck (1735-1807): amalgam of dermatology and ophthalmology.
abstract: In today's world of specialization, many of our current major contributors to the medical literature tend to work in only their specialty area. Historically, that was not the case. Great physicians were great observers and often contributed to many areas of medicine. The best example of this type of physician was Joseph Plenck who, although trained as a surgeon, had major impacts on many fields of medicine including both dermatology and ophthalmology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Poznan City Hospital, ul., Szwajcarska 3, 61-285 Poznań, Poland; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: ae.grzybowski@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grzybowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Divison of Ophthalmology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06032.
authors.forename: Barry D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Kels
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology 152, University of Connecticut Health Center 153, Farmington, CT 06032.
authors.forename: Jane M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Grant-Kels
mesh_terms: D003880:Dermatology / Q000266:history*; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000266:history*; D010819:Physician's Role