European roots of American gastroenterology

American medicine in general, and gastroenterology in particular, have their roots in Europe, with its more than 2 thousand years of Greek-based rational science. The early colonists of America, whether Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch or English brought doctors from their own countries. This history is limited to USA and Canada, is illustrative and not a comprehensive chronicle. In the 17th century some colonial students went to the medical schools at Leyden and Utrecht in the Netherlands. Scientific gastroenterology dates from the 18th century.

There was two-way communication between America and Europe. Europeans sent their books and specialists to America. Americans traveled to Europe, both as medical students and for postgraduate studies and research. Thirdly, in the 20th century, many European gastroenterologists fled to America as refugees from persecution.

For simplicity historians have classified the 3 most medically influential European countries as Britain in the 18th century, France in the first half of the 19th century, followed by Austria and Germany up to 1933 [1 3].

References

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