Joseph Jadassohn, the leading dermatologist of his generation, was born in Liegnitz, Germany, and studied medicine at the universities of Göttingen, Heidelberg, and Breslau.1 He remained in the latter community, serving first as assistant to Neisser in the university clinic and later as chief of the dermatology division of Allerheiligen Hospital. An experimental approach to the understanding of cutaneous disorders, began in the early years of his academic life, was sustained for half a century. He devised basic designs for investigating the morbid response of the integument, and was especially concerned with drug reactions, leprosy, eczema, tuberculosis, syphilis, and mycotic infections. His awareness of the social aspects of venereal diseases led to his appointment to the Committee on Hygiene of the League of Nations.
An interest and industry in experimental studies, complemented with compassion and understanding for his patients, gained acclaim and recognition for Jadassohn early in his career.