What Pavlov created. Ivan Petrovich Pavlov: short biography

Ivan Petrovich Pavlov became known to us primarily as a physiologist, a famous scientist who created the science of higher nervous activity, which has enormous practical value for many sciences. This includes medicine, psychology, physiology, and pedagogy, and not just Pavlov’s dog, which reacts to a light bulb with an increased flow of saliva. For his services, the scientist was awarded the Nobel Prize and some educational institutions and scientific institutes were named after him. Pavlov's books are still published in fairly large editions. For those who are not yet familiar with the scientist’s achievements and who do not know who Ivan Petrovich Pavlov is, a short biography will help correct this omission.

The future luminary was born in Ryazan, in the family of a clergyman, in 1849. Since Pavlov’s ancestors were “church members,” the boy was forced to go to a theological school and seminary. He later spoke warmly about this experience. But after accidentally reading Sechenov’s book on brain reflexes, Ivan Pavlov left his studies at the seminary and became a student at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics in St. Petersburg.

Having completed the course with honors, he received the academic degree of Candidate of Natural Sciences, and decided to continue his studies at the Medical-Surgical Academy, upon completion of which he received a doctor's diploma.

Since 1879, Ivan Petrovich became the head of the laboratory at the Botkin clinic. It was there that he began his research into digestion, which lasted more than twenty years. Soon the young scientist defended his dissertation and was appointed private assistant professor at the Academy. But the offer from Heidenhain and Karl Ludwig, fairly well-known physiologists, to work in Leipzig seemed more interesting to him. Returning to Russia two years later, Pavlov continued his scientific activities.

By 1890, his name had become famous in scientific circles. Simultaneously with the leadership of physiological research at the Military Medical Academy, he also headed the department of physiology at the Institute of Experimental Medicine. The scientist's scientific work began with the study of the heart and circulatory system, but later the scientist devoted himself entirely to the study of the digestive system. Through many experiments, the white spots in the structure of the digestive tract began to disappear.

The scientist's main experimental subjects were dogs. Pavlov wanted to understand the mechanism of the pancreas and make the necessary analyzes of its juice. To do this, through trial and error, he brought out part of the dog's pancreas and created a so-called fistula. Through the hole, pancreatic juice came out and was suitable for research.

The next stage was the study of gastric juice. The scientist was able to make a gastric fistula, which no one could do before. Now it was possible to study the secretion of gastric juice, its quantity and quality indicators, depending on the characteristics of the food.

Pavlov gave a report in Madrid and there outlined the main milestones of his teaching. A year later, having written a scientific work about his research, the scientist was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1904.

The next thing that attracted the scientist’s attention was the reaction of the body, including the digestive system, to external stimuli. This was the first step towards the study of conditioned and unconditioned connections - reflexes. This was a new word in physiology.

Many living organisms have a reflex system. Since a person has more historical experience, his reflexes are richer and more complex than those of the same dogs. Thanks to Pavlov's research, it became possible to trace the process of their formation and understand the basic principles of the cerebral cortex.

There is an opinion that in the post-revolutionary period, during the years of “devastation,” Pavlov found himself below the poverty line. But nevertheless, remaining a patriot of his country, he refused a very lucrative offer to move to Sweden for further scientific work with one hundred percent funding.

Some researchers believe that the scientist simply did not have the opportunity to travel abroad, and he submitted petitions for permission to emigrate. After some time, in 1920, the scientist finally received the long-promised institute from the state, where he continued his research.

His research was closely monitored by the top of the Soviet government, and thanks to this patronage, the scientist was able to fulfill his long-time dreams. Clinics equipped with new equipment were opened at his institutes, the staff was constantly expanding, and the funding was excellent. From that time on, regular publication of Pavlov's works also began.

But the scientist’s health in recent years has left much to be desired. Having suffered from pneumonia several times, he looked unwell, was very tired and generally did not feel very well. And in 1936, after a cold that turned into another pneumonia, Pavlov died.

It may well be that today’s medicines would have coped with the disease, but then medicine was still at a low level of development. The death of the scientist was a major loss for the entire scientific world.

Pavlov's contribution to science cannot be overestimated. He brought physiology and psychology into one plane; his research into higher nervous activity gave impetus to the development of various sciences. The name of Ivan Petrovich Pavlov is now familiar to every educated person. I consider it possible to complete the presentation of the life and work of the scientist here, because a short biography of Pavlov I.P. sufficiently illuminated.

Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (1849-1936) - one of the most authoritative scientists in Russia, physiologist, creator of the science of higher nervous activity and ideas about the processes of regulation of digestion; founder of the largest Russian physiological school. In 1904, the Nobel Prize for research into the functions of the main digestive glands was awarded to I. P. Pavlov - he became the first Russian Nobel laureate.

Pavlov, as a follower of Sechenov, worked a lot on nervous regulation. Pavlov devoted more than 10 years to obtaining a fistula (hole) of the gastrointestinal tract. It was extremely difficult to perform such an operation, since the juice pouring out of the intestines digested the intestines and the abdominal wall. I.P. Pavlov stitched the skin and mucous membranes together in such a way, inserted metal tubes and closed them with plugs, that there were no erosions, and he could receive pure digestive juice throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract - the salivary gland to the large intestine, which was done them on hundreds of experimental animals. He conducted experiments with sham feeding (cutting the esophagus so that food did not enter the stomach), thus making a number of discoveries in the field of reflexes for the release of gastric juice. Over the course of 10 years, Pavlov essentially re-created the modern physiology of digestion.

Pavlov introduced a chronic experiment into practice, which made it possible to study the activity of a practically healthy organism. Using the method of conditioned reflexes he developed, he established that mental activity is based on physiological processes occurring in the cerebral cortex. Pavlov's research into the physiology of higher nervous activity (2nd signal system, types of nervous system, localization of functions, systematic functioning of the cerebral hemispheres, etc.) had a great influence on the development of physiology, medicine, psychology and pedagogy.

In 1921, the Council of People's Commissars issued a resolution on the creation of special conditions for the scientific activities of I.P. Pavlova. Scientific life in his laboratories began to revive. In 1925, the Institute of Physiology was created at the Academy of Sciences, the director of which Pavlov remained until the end of his life. The scope of physiological research in our country has reached unprecedented proportions. I.P. Pavlov was at the head of all this work. Worldwide respect for this man was so great that at the XV International Congress of Physiologists in 1935 he was called “the first physiologist of the world” - no other scientist was awarded such a “title”. More than 120 Academies, universities and scientific societies elected I.P. Pavlova as a full or honorary member.

Pavlov's entire life was devoted to science. The rare hours of rest that he allowed himself were used to visit the theater, concerts and especially art exhibitions. Pavlov loved Russian Itinerant artists, knew and understood realistic painting, and was on close terms with I.E. Repin, M.V. Nesterov, N.N. Dubovsky and others. At the end of his life, he collected a significant collection of paintings by Russian artists.

I.P. Pavlov had enormous teaching talent. Cheerful, friendly, open to people, he attracted them, knew how to breathe energy and interest into the most seemingly apathetic natures. These qualities allowed him to create the largest scientific school in the field of physiology.

Pavlov's research marked an epoch in the development of physiology; they promoted him to the ranks of the classics of natural science, making him a figure equal to Newton, Darwin, and Mendeleev.

The doctrine of higher nervous activity created by Pavlov is one of the greatest achievements of modern natural science. Pavlov was a multifaceted scientist. His outstanding research on the physiology of the cardiovascular system and especially his classical research in the field of digestive physiology, which earned him worldwide recognition and fame as the creator of this important section of modern physiology.

Academies of sciences and scientific societies of Russia, England, France, USA, Germany and Italy and other countries of the world elected him as a member. Pavlov's scientific merits and his high human qualities attracted the attention of scientists, writers and other cultural figures. Over the years, Pavlovian conditioned reflex themes began to occupy a place of honor not only in the programs of international congresses of physiologists, but also in the programs of international congresses of psychologists and psychiatrists. In many countries, both monographic works and thematic collections devoted to current problems of Pavlov's teachings are systematically published. Truly, Pavlov became a symbol of the era and a guiding star in the study of brain functions.

Pavlov's works attracted the attention of S.P. Botkin, an outstanding, widely educated clinician who was a supporter of the physiological direction in the clinic. S.P. Botkin sought to connect the clinical work of his medical colleagues with experimental research in the field of physiology and pharmacology. Therefore, he decided to set up a special physiological laboratory at his clinic and entrusted the organization of this work to a young researcher - Pavlov, who began working in this laboratory in 1878. as a laboratory assistant (in fact, as the head of the laboratory).

The material on the physiology of digestion was summarized by Pavlov in “Lectures on the work of the main digestive glands.”

Over 20 years, over 250 scientific papers, including about 90 dissertations, were completed and published in Pavlov’s laboratories at the Institute of Experimental Medicine and the Military Medical Academy.

During these same years, Pavlov took an active part in the work of the St. Petersburg Society of Russian Doctors. In 1892, he was elected a full member, and in 1900, an honorary member of this society. For 13 years he was a fellow chairman of this society and for 7 years its chairman.

Since 1900 Pavlov participated in international congresses of physiologists, and then psychologists and neurologists. Particularly noteworthy is the report “Experimental Psychology and Psychopathology in Animals”, here for the first time Pavlov announced the possibility of a strictly objective, physiological analysis of phenomena that until that time had been explained only from a psychological point of view.

In 1901 Pavlov was elected a corresponding member, and in 1907. - full member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In 1912 He received an honorary doctorate from the ancient English University of Cambridge.

In the early 90s, Pavlov began studying the physiology of the higher parts of the central nervous system - the cerebral cortex. Observing that with various irritations associated with food - the sight and smell of it, sounds reminiscent of it - the animal secretes saliva, secretes gastric juice, etc. The physiologist said that the cause of secretion in these cases is the desire for food, the memory of it, and the animal’s mental experiences.

Pavlov studied the reflex function of the brain for 35 years. Pavlov created his doctrine of the types of the nervous system. The Pavlovian classification of types is based on individual differences in the characteristics of the nervous system: the strength of nervous processes, their balance and mobility. Accordingly, Pavlov recognized the existence of 4 main types of nervous system:

1. A type of strong, but unbalanced nervous system, which is characterized by a predominance of excitation over inhibition (“uncontrolled type”).

2. A type of strong, balanced nervous system with great mobility of nervous processes (“living”, mobile type).

3. A type of strong, balanced nervous system with low mobility of nervous processes (“calm”, sedentary).

In the last years of Pavlov’s life, his activities took place in three institutions: in the expanding physiological department of the Institute of Experimental Medicine, in the Physiological Institute of the USSR Academy of Sciences and at the biological station in the village of Koltushi. Pavlov's laboratories were equipped with excellent equipment. Pavlov gave a systematic presentation of the entire doctrine of conditioned reflexes in 1926. in the work “Lectures on the work of the cerebral hemispheres”.

I.P. Pavlov lived to be 86 years old. He died of pneumonia on February 27, 1936. Pavlov was buried in St. Petersburg at the Volkov cemetery next to the grave of another great Russian scientist - D.I. Mendeleev.

At all times, the Russian land was famous for its talented people who were capable of accomplishing both military feats and great scientific discoveries. Each such person deserves the closest attention from the public. One of these scientists is Ivan Petrovich Pavlov, whose brief biography will be studied in as much detail as possible in the article.

Birth

The future brilliant scientist was born on September 26, 1849 in the city of Ryazan. Our hero’s ancestors, both on his father’s and mother’s sides, devoted their entire lives to serving God in the Russian Orthodox Church. Ivan’s dad’s name was Pyotr Dmitrievich, his mother’s name was Varvara Ivanovna.

Education

In 1864, Ivan Petrovich Pavlov, whose biography is of interest to numerous readers even many years after his death, successfully graduated from theological seminary. However, while studying in his last year at this educational institution, he read a book about brain reflexes, which completely changed his consciousness and worldview.

In 1870, Pavlov became a full-time student at the Faculty of Law of St. Petersburg University. This is largely due to the fact that former seminarians in those days were very limited in choosing their future fate. But literally two weeks later he transferred to the natural department. Ivan chose the study of the physiology of various animals as his specialization.

Scientific activity

Being a follower of Sechenov, Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (his biography contains many interesting facts) for ten years sought to obtain a gastrointestinal tract fistula. The scientist also experimented with cutting the esophagus so that food would not enter the stomach. Thanks to these experiments, the researcher found out the nuances of the secretion of gastric juice.

In 1903, Pavlov acted as a speaker at an international conference in Madrid. And the very next year the scientist was awarded the Nobel Prize for his in-depth study of the functional characteristics of the glands of the digestive system.

Loud performance

In the spring of 1918, Ivan Petrovich Pavlov, whose brief biography can give the reader an idea of ​​his impressive contribution to science, gave a course of vital lectures. In these scientific works, the professor spoke about the human mind in general and the Russian mind in particular. It is worth noting that in his speeches the scientist very critically analyzed the subtleties and nuances of the Russian mentality, especially noting the lack of intellectual discipline.

Temptation

There is information that during the period of civil armed confrontation and total communism, which did not allocate any money to Pavlov for research, he received an offer from the Swedish Academy of Sciences to move to Stockholm. In the capital of this Scandinavian state, Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (his biography and his merits are respected) could receive the most comfortable conditions for his scientific work. However, our great compatriot categorically rejected this proposal, citing the fact that he loves his native land very much and does not intend to move anywhere.

After some time, the top Soviet leadership issued an order to build an institute near Leningrad. The scientist worked in this institution until 1936.

Curious moment

Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (the biography and interesting facts of the life of this academician cannot be ignored) was a very big fan of gymnastics, and in general was an ardent supporter of a healthy lifestyle. That is why he created a society in which die-hard fans of exercise and cycling gathered. In this circle, the scientist was even the chairman.

Death

Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (a short biography does not allow us to describe all his merits) died on February 27, 1936 in Leningrad. The cause of death, according to various sources, is considered to be pneumonia or the effects of poison. Based on the will of the deceased, he was buried according to Orthodox canons in a church in Koltushi. After this, the body of the deceased was transported to the Tauride Palace, where an official farewell ceremony was held. A guard of honor consisting of scientific workers from various educational institutions and members of the Academy of Sciences was placed near the coffin. The scientist was interred in a cemetery called Literatorskie Mostki.

Scientific contribution

Ivan Petrovich Pavlov, whose biography and scientific achievements did not go unnoticed by his contemporaries, even after his death had a significant impact on medicine. The deceased professor truly became a symbol of Soviet science, and his achievements in this area were considered by many to be a real ideological feat. Under the guise of “protecting Pavlov’s legacy,” a session of the USSR Academy of Sciences was held in 1950, at which many luminaries of physiology were subject to serious persecution, expressing their vision of some of the fundamental positions of research and experiments. To be fair, it should be said that such a policy ran counter to the principles that Pavlov professed during his lifetime.

Conclusion

Ivan Petrovich Pavlov, whose brief biography is given above, had many awards. In addition to the Nobel Prize, the scientist was awarded the Kotenius Medal, the Copley Medal and the Kroon Lecture.

In 1935, the man was recognized as the “elder of physiology of the world.” He received this title during the 15th International Congress of Physiologists. Let us point out that neither before nor after him, not a single representative of biology was able to receive the same title and was not so famous.

71 years ago, the great Ryazan resident, physiologist, creator of the doctrine of higher nervous activity, Ivan Petrovich Pavlov, died

The name of Academician Ivan Petrovich Pavlov, the first Russian Nobel Prize laureate, has forever entered the golden fund of world science. The most significant scientific discoveries were made by him in the field of physiology of blood circulation and digestion.

He also owned the discovery of a natural scientific objective method for studying the function of the brain - the method of conditioned reflexes, using which he created the doctrine of higher nervous activity that immortalized his name. Ivan Pavlov was born on September 26, 1849 in Ryazan. After graduating from theological school in 1864, he entered the Theological Seminary, but without finishing it, in 1870 he entered St. Petersburg University at the Faculty of Law, but soon transferred to the natural sciences department of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics. He studied at the Medical-Surgical Academy, after which he took the place of head of the physiological laboratory at the therapeutic clinic.

Pavlov was the founder of the most numerous and fruitful scientific school of physiologists (more than 300 students and employees), the creator of the Russian Society of Physiologists, the Russian Physiological Journal (1917), the Physiological Department of the Institute of Experimental Medicine (1890), the Physiological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (1925), and the Biological Station in Koltushi ( 1926), for twenty years (1893-1913) led the Society of Russian Doctors in St. Petersburg. Pavlov’s entire scientific and professorial activity was permeated with the idea of ​​the leading role of physiology as a fundamental science, the scientific basis of biomedical disciplines, psychology, pedagogy and sociology, psychiatry and neuropathology. Pavlov's research enriched physiology with fundamental discoveries and ideas. Ivan Pavlov greeted the February Revolution with caution; he experienced the October Revolution extremely painfully. Relatives and acquaintances, scientists from the USA, Germany, Sweden, Czechoslovakia persistently invited him abroad, but the Soviet government did everything to keep Pavlov from emigrating.

In 1918, V.I. Lenin signed a special decree on creating conditions that would ensure the work of the first Russian Nobel Prize laureate, and in the 1920s, during the civil war and intervention, the young republic created the necessary conditions for Pavlov for scientific work. The resolution of the Council of People's Commissars “On the conditions ensuring the scientific work of Academician I.P. Pavlov and his employees,” signed by Lenin on January 24, 1921, is one of the most famous acts of the Soviet government. This resolution became a kind of safe conduct for many years. Ivan Petrovich Pavlov lived a long and happy life. Of the 86 years, 62 years were devoted to science, higher medical education, and organization of research in the field of physiological sciences. He died on February 27, 1936 in Leningrad, and was buried at the Volkovskoye cemetery. On his tombstone are engraved the words: “Remember that science demands from a person his entire life. And if you had two lives, they wouldn’t be enough for you either.”

Ivan Pavlov’s brief biography of the famous scientist, creator of the science of higher nervous activity, the physiological school, is presented in this article.

Ivan Pavlov biography briefly

Ivan Petrovich Pavlov was born September 26, 1849 in the family of a priest. He began his studies at the Ryazan Theological School, which he graduated in 1864. Then he entered the Ryazan Theological Seminary.

In 1870, the future scientist decided to enter the law faculty of St. Petersburg University. But 17 days after admission, he transferred to the natural sciences department of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of St. Petersburg State University, specialized in animal physiology with I. F. Tsion and F. V. Ovsyannikova.

Zatei immediately entered the third year of the Medical-Surgical Academy, which he graduated in 1879 and began working at Botkin’s clinic. Here Ivan Petrovich headed the physiology laboratory.

From 1884 to 1886 he trained in Germany and France, after which he returned to work at the Botkin clinic. In 1890, they decided to make Pavlov a professor of pharmacology and sent him to the Military Medical Academy. After 6 years, the scientist already heads the department of physiology here. He will leave her only in 1926.

Simultaneously with this work, Ivan Petrovich studies the physiology of blood circulation, digestion, and higher nervous activity. In 1890 he conducted his famous experiment with imaginary feeding. The scientist establishes that the nervous system plays a large role in the digestive processes. For example, the process of juice separation occurs in 2 phases. The first of them is neuro-reflex, followed by humoral-clinical. After this, I began to carefully examine higher nervous activity.

He achieved significant results in the study of reflexes. In 1903, at the age of 54, he delivered his report at the International Medical Congress held in Madrid.