Rudolf von Jaksch

Austrian internist and professor

Dr. Rudolf Ritter Jaksch von Wartenhorst

Rudolf von Jaksch (16 July 1855 – 8 September 1947) was a prominent Austrian internist known for his contributions to the field of internal medicine. He is particularly recognized for his work on anemia and liver disease.

Early life and education

Rudolf von Jaksch was born in Prague, which was then part of the Austrian Empire. He was the son of August Jaksch von Wartenhorst, a noted physician. Rudolf pursued his medical studies at the Charles University in Prague, where he graduated with a degree in medicine in 1878.

Career

After completing his studies, von Jaksch worked as an assistant to Josef von Skoda and Carl von Rokitansky at the General Hospital in Vienna. He later became a professor of internal medicine at the University of Graz and subsequently at the University of Prague.

Contributions to medicine

Von Jaksch is best known for his research on anemia, particularly the condition known as "Jaksch's anemia" or "pseudoleukemia infantum," which is characterized by anemia with leukocytosis and splenomegaly in infants. He also made significant contributions to the understanding of liver disease and metabolic disorders.

Jaksch's anemia

Jaksch's anemia is a form of anemia that occurs in infants and is often associated with nutritional deficiencies, particularly of vitamin B12 and folic acid. Von Jaksch's work in identifying and describing this condition has been instrumental in advancing the understanding of pediatric hematology.

Later life and legacy

Rudolf von Jaksch continued to teach and conduct research until his retirement. He passed away in 1947 in Vienna, leaving behind a legacy of significant contributions to the field of internal medicine. His work laid the foundation for future research in hematology and gastroenterology.

Related pages

• Anemia
• Internal medicine
• University of Prague
• Charles University