http://doi.org/10.31288/oftalmolzh201948285

Ukrainian Ophthalmology in Names: Dr. Mykhailo Kos (1863-1930) 

M.S. Nadraga,1 Cand Sc (History), Honored Worker of Culture of Ukraine,  Head of the University Library, O.V. Turchak,2 Dr Sc (Law), Prof.

1 Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University; Lviv (Ukraine)

2  Humanitarian Department, Ivan Boberskyi Lviv State University of Physical Culture; Lviv (Ukraine)

E-mail: m.nadraga@gmail.com

TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Nadraga MS, Turchak OV. Ukrainian Ophthalmology in Names: Dr. Mykhailo Kos (1863-1930). J.ophthalmol.(Ukraine).2019;4:82-85. http://doi.org/10.31288/oftalmolzh201948285

 

This paper highlights the complex personality of Mykhailo Kos, a Ukrainian military doctor, ophthalmologist, and an outstanding public figure. The authors described his life and contribution to science as well as articles in periodicals. His works on ophthalmology and articles directed at providing eye health information to the public were subjected to analysis.

Mykhailo Kos’ legacy is wide and multifaceted, and his works require close attention of historians and ophthalmologists. The doctor’s publications were directed primarily both at burning academic ophthalmological issues of that time and at providing health information and education to the Ukrainian public, with an emphasis on prevention of eye disorders.

In addition, he published biographical works on a number of famous figures in the field of medicine and, what is especially interesting, in the field of humanitarian law. 

The multifaceted nature of Mykhailo Kos came out when he co-established and contributed to the development of the Ukrainian Medical Society which included Ukrainian doctors from eastern Galicia.

 His military career is also worth the reader's attention. Although for most this career involved serving in the Austrian army, his patriotic spirit called him to the development of and service for the Ukrainian state in the early 20th century, in the years of the Ukrainian Liberation Struggle at western Ukraine.

Another proof of the estimation of his contribution to science we find in electing Mykhailo Kos a Member of the Shevchenko Science Society.

His personal field journals and notebooks written during World War I are of particular interest.

Keywords: ophthalmologist, military doctor, medical practice, eye disease, malingering, spectacles, cataract, strabismus, ocular defects

References

1.[Dr Mykhailo Kos Obituary]. Ukrainskyi Golos (Peremyshl). 1930; February 23 (Part 7):5-6. Ukrainian.

2.Kolianchuk O, Semeniv V. [He was healing, teaching and bringing up]. Narodne zdorov’ia. 2015; April (4):4. Ukrainian.

3.Kos M. Erworbenes Ankyloblepharon infolge akuten Trachoms. Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift. 1903: 22 August (№ 34):1614–16.

4.Kos M. Ein Fall von Augenverletzung durch Exercierschuss. Der Milit?erarzt. 1900; 23 Februar  (№ 4):49–51. 

5.Kos M. [Ocular Defects in Recruits for the Army (reported to the society of military doctors in Peremyshl)]. In: [Collection of Works by Members of the Section of Mathematics, Natural Science and Medicine of the Shevchenko Science Society]. Lviv: Publishing House of the Shevchenko Science Society. 1903;Vol. 9: 1–10. Ukrainian.

6.Kos M. [Use of Spectacles]. Dilo. 1900; March 31 (April 13) (Part 74):1-2. Ukrainian.

7.Kos M. [Cataract]. Dilo. 1901;July 4(17) (Part 148):1. Ukrainian.

8.Kos M. [Strabismus]. Dilo. 1901;August 9(22) (Part 178):1, August 10(23) (Part 179):1. Ukrainian.

9.Kos M. [On Ocular Trauma]. Ukrainskyi Golos (Peremyshl). 1920; August 29 (Part 25):2. Ukrainian.

10.Nadraga MS, Turchak OV. [Mukhailo Kos, a Ukrainian military doctor in the Austrian army]. In: [Prospects for the development of arms and military technique for the Army]. Proceedings of the International Science and Technical Conference. Lviv, May 17–18, 2018. p. 349. Ukrainian.

11.[Manuscript of Personal field journal written during World War I. Vol. 1: 1914–1915]. In: [Vasyl Stefanyk Lviv National Science Library of Ukraine. Manuscript Department. Repository 158 (Mykhailo Kos), Unit 19]. German.

 

The authors certify that they have no conflicts of interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.