Karl Marx "capital" (brief review) "in science there is no wide high road, and only he can reach its shining heights, who, without fear of fatigue, climbs along its rocky paths."

L.T. PACK
IN SCIENCE THERE IS NO WIDE, PILLAR... (CONVERSATIONS WITH V.F. LEE)
Place of publication: Moscow - Novorossiysk
Publisher: "Scientific book"
Year of publication: 2009
Circulation: 500 copies.

Annotation:

The book is dedicated to the scientific and teaching activities of Professor of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation Vl. F. Lee. The main milestones of it are revealed life path from the Siberian hinterland to St. Petersburg University. Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. The most significant scientific reviews of Vl. F. Lee in Korean Studies and Oriental Studies.

Part one
Far, far away from Hamgyong Province...
(childhood and youth beyond Baikal, student years)

Part two
In the footsteps of academic criticism
(reviews and comments: L.M. Kuznetsov, V.S. Boyko, A.D. Voskresensky, V.P. Tkachenko, A.N. Fedorovsky, Elizabeth Vishnik, V.I. Denisov, T.A. Zakaurtseva, V. M. Krivokhizha, Yu. Hong, L.V. Shulunova)

Part three
A word about mentors and life partners...
(B.G. Gafurov, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR; G.F. Kim, Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR; T.A. Kolesnichenko, Union of Journalists of Russia; Ho Ding (Ho Un Phe), Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences)

Instead of an epilogue

Lee Vl. F. Edelweiss

Photo documentary application

From the author-compiler

The idea of ​​writing a series of essays about my wonderful countrymen living under the skies of Russia came to me one day when I was leafing through the pages of the unique publication “Russian Koreans” and “Encyclopedia of Russian Koreans”. The abolition of the extremely unjust, Stalinist decrees concerning the fate and civil rights of the Korean diaspora, our country, destroyed heavy barriers to spiritual growth Korean population of Russia. Previously known as famous grain growers, Koreans organically fit into our multinational society and make a rapid breakthrough in all areas of modern scientific knowledge, including the humanities. And today, the outstanding Russian-Korean intelligentsia of the first half of the 20th century, who tragically disappeared in the Gulag camps, has been replaced by a new, worthy generation, including prominent theoretical physicists and famous architects, officers and generals of our armed forces, prominent business representatives and scientists- international affairs. Having plunged into the study of biographical sources about this galaxy of my fellow countrymen, I realized how thorny their path to a professorial diploma or the helm of a combat aircraft was. Unfortunately, my numerous relatives know almost nothing about this, especially new, younger generation more and more involved in irreversible processes of not only interethnic communication, but also assimilation.

The proposed book has been prepared in the form of my conversations with Vladimir Fedorovich Li, professor at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry. I believe that the reader will find in it a lot of interesting and instructive.

Karl Marx "CAPITAL" (brief review) "In science there is no wide high road, and only he can reach its shining peaks, who, without fear of fatigue, climbs along its rocky paths. ”K. Marx One of the central places in the revolutionary legacy of the past is occupied by Marx's Capital. This is the greatest scientific work that inspires the struggle against capitalist oppression, the construction of communism. This book was published on September 14, 1867 with a circulation of only 1,000 copies, but its ideas captured the minds of the working people of mankind, laid the foundation for a whole era in its spiritual life and struggle against oppression and violence, in the construction of a new society. The publication of Capital is the most terrible projectile ever fired at the head of the bourgeoisie. Capital raises and solves problems related to the most vital, vital interests of the masses. Therefore, for 147 years now, the enemies of the working people have not tired of furiously attacking this book, rejecting, distorting, distorting its ideas and conclusions. But no matter what the falsifiers do, the ideas of Capital are still alive today, they are developing, they are marching triumphantly around the planet. “The teachings of Marx,” said V.I. Lenin, is omnipotent, because it is true.” The emergence of Marxism was caused by historical necessity. The revolutions of the late 18th and early 19th centuries abolished serfdom and brought a new class into the historical arena - the proletariat, which at first spontaneously raised to fight against capitalist oppression. Therefore, there was a need for a scientific clarification of the meaning and prospects of this struggle. And this task was brilliantly accomplished by Marxism, which answered the questions posed by history to science. Everything is embodied in "Capital" greatest discoveries made by Marxism, and, above all, the materialistic understanding of history. Based on the fact that economic order is the basis of society, Marx focused on the study economic relations. He gave the deepest analysis of capitalism, subjected bourgeois political economy to annihilating criticism, and discovered the economic law of the movement of capitalist society. The discovery of surplus value was the cornerstone of all economic theory Marx. He convincingly showed that under the relationship of "equal" capitalist commodity owners (who own capital) and workers, there are profound contradictions, inequality, exploitation by the former of the latter. The theory of surplus value is the greatest achievement of Marxism. It completely exposes bourgeois propaganda and the possibility of class peace under capitalism. Marx showed that the pursuit of profit leads not only to the development of the productive forces, but also to the intensification of the exploitation of the workers. The development of capitalism leads to the rallying of the working class, to the growth of the significance of the proletariat as a revolutionary force. From the entire historical and logical analysis of capitalism, Marx drew a brilliant conclusion about the inevitability of a socialist revolution and the expropriation of the exploiters. Quotations It is not the consciousness of people that determines their being, but, on the contrary, their social being determines their consciousness. The more capable the ruling class is of accepting into its midst the most prominent people from the oppressed classes, the stronger and more dangerous is his rule. The peculiar character of the material with which political economy has to deal brings into the arena of struggle against free scientific research the most violent, basest, and most repulsive passions. human soul- furies of private interest. Thus, the high Anglican Church would rather forgive an attack on 38 of the 39 articles of its creed than on 1/39 of its money income. Today, atheism itself is a culpa levis [small sin] in comparison with the criticism of traditional property relations.

“In science there is no wide high road, and only he can reach its shining peaks who, without fear of fatigue, climbs along its rocky paths. K. Marx

Velle parum est. cupias

Ut re patiaris oportet...

(Wanting is not enough. One must passionately desire to achieve the goal ...). Horace

At one time, in the medical environment, the question of what medicine is: art or science was often debated. In our modern view this question is not in doubt. Of course, medicine is a science that preserves in the sphere of its practical application the features of high art. In accordance with this understanding, the work of a doctor of any profile bears the features of scientific and practical activity, with the predominance in each specific case of one or the other element.

Starting to study the foundations of medicine at the medical institute, none of us can foresee how his personal aspirations will develop in the future: whether the practical side of our profession will attract with its obvious usefulness or whether the desire to devote one’s strength to scientific research, to identifying the “ultimate causes of things” will win. But in both cases, enriching himself with experience, accumulating and critically comprehending his observations, drawing reasonable conclusions from them, every doctor performs a certain scientific work in content.

And the first skills of such work should be mastered already at the institute. Here is not only a place of diligent mastery of a vast complex medical knowledge, but also the beginning of the path to great science.

Sometimes one hears the opinion that one can successfully engage in scientific work only in the environment of an institute department, clinic, etc. This idea is deeply erroneous. He who truly loves science, for whom mental work is a need, a kind of pleasure, will work scientifically in any, even the most difficult, conditions. This is actually proved by the best representatives of our Soviet medical youth. This is evidenced by the experience of a number of domestic doctors of the older generation. Suffice it to recall, for example, that one of the first prominent Ural surgeons D. P. Kuznetsky (from Nizhny Tagil), head of the famous Obukhov school of surgeons A. A. Troyanov, professors S. I. Spasokukotsky, F. O. Levit, S. S. Yudin, the outstanding zemstvo doctor A. G. Arkhangelskaya and many others began, and in some cases continued for many years, their fruitful scientific activities in ordinary zemstvo and city hospitals.

An unsurpassed example for every young doctor is the life of the outstanding provincial surgeon Konstantin Vasilievich Volkov (1871-1938). This highly cultured, crystal-clear man worked continuously for 27 years in the remote city of Yadrin, the former Kazan province (now the Chuvash ASSR). In a relatively small district hospital, he not only launched an extensive surgical activity, but also gained wide popularity and high respect from the medical community with his numerous scientific, part of a socio-philosophical nature, printed works, speeches at congresses, etc. List of works of K. V Volkov includes 141 titles of articles and reports.

Despite the fact that in 1935 K. V. Volkov was awarded the degree of Doctor of Medical Sciences without defending a dissertation, he constantly rejected numerous proposals to head departments in a number of major cities(including an offer from Perm) and remained faithful to his modest Yadrinsky hospital. In it, he died, having contracted typhus from a patient. *

* (The book of prof. A. M. Amineva "District surgeon Konstantin Vasilievich Volkov" (Cheboksary, 1957), which has already gone through two editions.)

Before talking about the basic skills of scientific work, which every thinking doctor needs to master, we consider it useful to dwell on the issue of ultra-early specialization of a medical student.

In a number of cases, when young people enter medical school, they decide in advance their future specialty: I will be a surgeon, a physiologist, etc. Such selective interest could even be welcomed, if not for one very significant “but”. It consists in the fact that such early "specialists" often from the first year begin to give preference to subjects that, in their immature opinion, may be needed for their chosen specialty, and neglect those that, as they think, will not be needed in the future. This is a very harmful misunderstanding.

Although the curricula of the medical school may seem extremely extensive, but, in fact, they cover only the basics of medical sciences, the minimum knowledge that every doctor needs. This minimum must not only be firmly mastered, but, as far as possible, replenished by reading special journals, monographs, etc. A doctor of any profile who is not thoroughly familiar with normal and pathological anatomy and physiology, histology, clinical and sanitary-hygienic disciplines will not be suitable anywhere. . Everything is important, everything is interconnected, everything needs to be known. And if you can show a special interest in any discipline, then in no case to the detriment of the others. At the institute, first of all, one should strive to accumulate a maximum of versatile knowledge. What about specialization? we will talk only at the end of the course.

All the above, of course, also applies to young doctors who specialize prematurely. It is very appropriate to quote here the opinion on this issue of one of our most respected surgeons, Sergei Petrovich Fedorov (1869-1936): , urology, etc., in order to quickly become a major specialist. Return trip strewn with thorns, and a surgeon born from a specialist remains either a weak mediocrity, or ... with a certain “originality”, he sometimes reaches an outstanding position, however, losing a lot of time for additional surgical self-education and discovering “America” more than once along the way. *

* (S. P. Fedorov. Gallstones and biliary tract surgery. (Foreword). M., Medgiz, 1934.)

What are the basic skills of scientific work that a young physician needs in the first place?

First of all, it should learn to read scientific literature to acquire the ability to independently work with sources. Perhaps, such a statement of the question will seem strange to some: after all, we are all literate! However, the facts show that this is not enough. It is not enough to be literate - one must really be able to read serious works.

Once we conducted a questionnaire survey of participants in a regional scientific conference in order to find out what fellow doctors read. Among others (the following questions were also proposed:

1) what articles in medical periodicals recent months did you particularly like it?

2) what books and textbooks in your specialty do you like most and consider as desktop guides in your work?

Conference participants (mainly employees of peripheral medical institutions) 103 questionnaires were filled out. What did their study reveal? In fact, no one answered the first question: most of the comrades made a dash, a few - limited themselves to common phrases“I find it difficult to answer”, “everything that interests me”, etc. More than three-quarters of the respondents also did not answer the second question, the rest indicated ordinary textbooks and manuals; and only in two questionnaires there was some deviation from the school standard. Needless to say, a very sad picture! Moreover, it is especially sad, considering that the vast majority of those who filled out the questionnaire in the appropriate columns noted that they subscribe to scientific and medical journals, read them regularly, buy new books, etc. So why didn’t anything read attract attention, was not remembered, really loved? Only because we do not get accustomed to serious reading, we read fluently, superficially, with little criticism.

It is known that I. P. Pavlov had great knowledge and a phenomenal memory. But before last days he did not stop studying, he read a lot and systematically. As L. A. Andreev, one of Pavlov’s closest collaborators, writes in his memoirs, the great scientist “in the strict daily routine, reading magazines and books had their own time. He read slowly - re-read the same article or book 2-3 times. When reading, he often got excited when he came across an allegation or unverified facts; argued and passionately defended when criticism touched on his work, and, finally, rejoiced and triumphed if his facts were confirmed by other researchers.

Only such active reading is fruitful, only such reading should be accustomed to from an early age.

Nowadays, printed matter on any subject has reached immense proportions. It's impossible to master it all. But it is also very difficult to understand this sea of ​​books, journal articles and messages. It is even more difficult among dozens and hundreds of ordinary scientific papers to identify especially valuable ones, replete with deep thoughts and verified facts. And therefore, as long as the ability to independently and properly select literary material for serious study is acquired, preference should be given to books whose high scientific value has already been recognized. And there are many such books among the works of Soviet and foreign scientists. Not to mention those released in last years multi-volume manuals on various branches of medicine and individual outstanding monographs by living authors, it is enough to name at least "Etudes of gastric surgery" by S. S. Yudin, "Gallstones and surgery of the biliary tract" by S. P. Fedorov, wonderful manuals on internal diseases by G. F. Langa, A. L. Myasnikova, “Clinical Hematology” by I. A. Kassirsky and G. A. Alekseev, etc. The works of leading figures of Russian medicine are of great cognitive and educational interest for any doctor: clinical lectures S. P. Botkina, G. A. Zakharyina, a guide to childhood diseases by the remarkable pediatrician N. F. Filatov, “Uterine bleeding” by one of the founders of Russian gynecology V. F. Snegirev, “K physical research gastrointestinal canal and heart "V. P. Obraztsova and others.

An important role in the self-education of a doctor is familiarity with the literature of a general medical nature. Books such as “Etudes of Optimism” by I. I. Mechnikov, “Diary of an Old Doctor” by N. I. Pirogov, “Reflections of a Surgeon” by S. S. Yudin, “Dramatic Medicine” by the famous Austrian medical historian Hugo Glaser, autobiographical notes I. M. Sechenov, “Experienced and rethought by a student, doctor and professor” by A. Stal (pseudonym of Professor A. S. Tauber), a number of books from the series “ Prominent figures domestic medicine. Reading books of this kind helps the doctor to understand the full significance of scientific research and all the greatness and difficulties of honest scientific achievement. *

* (We emphasize the word "honest". Unfortunately, the history of medicine knows cases of dishonest treatment of scientific work: juggling digital indicators, underestimation of the mortality rate, a biased interpretation of experimental data, plagiarism, etc. With regard to the latter, a young scientist needs to be especially scrupulous, remembering that the word "plagiarism" means "literary theft." Therefore, when citing individual excerpts from other people's works, expounding the thoughts of other authors, using other people's drawings, diagrams, etc., it is necessary to indicate where they are taken from.)

Significantly expands the scientific horizons of the doctor and more in-depth study history of medicine. In some cases, sufficient knowledge in this area can save a young researcher from discovering long-discovered truths and help comprehend deep meaning old sayings that the new is often the well-forgotten old and that "the history of medicine in many cases is the history of delusions."

In connection with the enormous growth in our days of scientific and literary production, scientists are increasingly forced to use various kinds of bibliographic reference books, reviews, abstract reviews, which briefly outline the essence of individual works on a particular issue. Of course, all these abstracts as reference, "informational" material in everyday scientific work bring certain benefits. But in the doctor's self-education, expanding his horizons, they cannot play a big role. We were literally delighted when, by chance, in one of B. D. Petrov's articles we read that this idea was clearly formulated at the end of the last century by S. P. Botkin. Our famous scientist-therapist demanded that doctors and scientists read a lot. In the periodicals he edited, he did not tolerate abstracts. “In abstracts, we see one of the conditions that retard the development of a doctor. The doctor condemns himself to reading almost exclusively the conclusions from various studies and works. It is necessary to read the works in the original. *

* (B. D. PETROV Scientific achievement. - "Medical Worker" 1957, No. 5.)

From the foregoing, it should be concluded that a young physician starting his way into science should be strongly recommended to read good books in original. Only in this way can one comprehend the depth of their content, enrich oneself not only with factual data, but also with fruitful thoughts and ideas that open up broad prospects. And to try to do it from other people's words means to become like those representatives of the youth who think that it is possible to comprehend the full depth of "War and Peace" or "Anna Karenina" by watching the films of the same name.

Good books should be loved and cherished. The doctor needs them not only during normal hours of work, but also in moments of doubt, hard struggle and excitement for patients. And if at these moments he manages to find instructions and advice in the pages of books that inspire confidence and hope, then he will consider these books his best mentors, reliable friends.

Mastering the skills of working on literary sources, you need to accustom yourself to carefully note what you read. It should be remembered that the value of a good book is determined not only by the immediate richness of its content, but also by whether it gives rise to new thoughts in the reader, personal considerations. Therefore, it is very important to write down your thoughts and considerations as well. This will help to develop a critical attitude to what you read, and will save you from excessive, in some cases unjustified, admiration for "authorities". In science, one must strive in every possible way to form one’s own, deeply thought-out opinion about everything.

A wonderful example of an in-depth critical study of literary sources can be Lenin's "Philosophical Notebooks" - draft notes made by him in the process of working on famous book"Materialism and Empiriocriticism".

Speaking about the skills of working with special literature, one cannot fail to mention the knowledge foreign languages. Even many scientists cannot freely read specialized literature in a foreign language. It is necessary to make wider use of the opportunities provided by the institute, to try to master at least one of the most common European languages. Ignorance of foreign languages ​​does not suit the advanced Soviet doctor.

Among the most important skills required by a young scientist, mastery of modern methods of scientific research is extremely important. On this occasion, I. P. Pavlov wrote: “Science moves in jolts, depending on the successes made by the methodology, with each step of the methodology, we seem to rise a step higher, from which a wider horizon opens up to us, with previously invisible objects.” *

* (I. P. Pavlov. Lectures on the work of the main digestive glands. M., Giz, 1924, p. 15.)

While studying at the institute, each medical student has the opportunity to theoretically and practically get acquainted with the latest methods physiological, pathoanatomical, laboratory and other studies not only on theoretical departments and in clinics, but also in scientific student circles and societies. Active participation in them allows you to thoroughly master the complex modern methodology of research work - to take the first step on the path to great science.

Classes in scientific circles in a number of cases, they are associated with direct participation in experimental work, including on animals. This extremely important and valuable method of scientific research must be used very seriously and prudently. We must not forget that experimental animals are living beings. Depriving them of their lives, inflicting cruel suffering on them is permissible only for strictly motivated reasons of a research or didactic nature.

It does not hurt to recall that in some countries, animal experiments are regulated by law. So, for example, in England back in 1876, a regulation was developed on the production of vivisections, according to which they are allowed only under strict control, with the availability of appropriate premises and equipment, subject to qualified surgical interventions, mandatory anesthesia of animals, proper care for them, etc. e. Experiments on animals to prove already established facts and provisions are prohibited. In our time, the issue of regulating animal experiments is also raised by the medical press of some socialist countries, for example, the Polish People's Republic (article by Professor J. Walewski in the journal "Polish Medical Weekly", 1959, No. 40).

The thoughts on this issue of N. I. Pirogov, who wrote in his “Diary of an Old Doctor”: “Arriving in Dorpat without any preparation for experimental scientific studies, I rushed headlong to experiment and, of course, was cruel without need and without benefit ; and my recollection now poisons even more that, having inflicted severe torments on many living beings, I often did not achieve anything other than a negative result, that is, I did not find what I was looking for ... "

Frivolity, amateurishness when conducting experiments on animals, in particular on dogs, are unacceptable. Everything must be carried out according to a strictly justified plan, at a sufficiently high technical level (qualified interventions, mandatory anesthesia of animals during "acute" experiments, ensuring proper care for them, etc.), i.e., as is customary in all our leading research institutions.

A sharp dissonance to all of the above is a truly amazing case cited by Professor K. A. Smirnova in her article “From the point of view of a psychiatrist” (“Nature”, 1975, No. 1). “... We were sent a photograph showing two 3rd year students of one of the medical universities. Students laugh at a dying dog that has come out of anesthesia with its entrails falling out.” The article does not indicate how the administration and the public of the corresponding institute reacted to such behavior of female students. But we know that a dozen or three years ago, a student was expelled from a medical institute who, out of stupid mischief, inserted a cigarette into the mouth of a corpse lying in a sectional hall. And rightly so! There should be no place in the ranks of medical workers for people who cynically mock the suffering of any living being or turn the great tragedy, the death of a person, into a comedy.

Documentation is extremely important in research work. Only based on detailed, careful notes in observation logs, protocols of experiments, case histories, acts of pathoanatomical autopsies, well-executed radiographs and histological preparations, it is possible to build sufficiently reliable conclusions. You need to accustom yourself to the greatest accuracy from the student's bench.

Excellent examples of such punctuality are given to us by the remarkable scientists S. P. Fedorov and S. I. Spasokukotsky. One of the outstanding students of the first of them, I. M. Talman, wrote that starting from 1910, S. P. Fedorov took home for several days all the medical records of those who had completed treatment for diseases of the kidneys and biliary tract.

Entries from these case histories, brief, but containing the main data, he entered into a thick oilcloth notebook. These "were not only clinical data, but also a description of operations, the results of histological or sectional studies, as well as long-term results, determined by repeated admissions or from patients' letters. As for S. I. Spasokukotsky, Academician A. N. Bakulev provided interesting data on his conscientiousness and accuracy in the documentation. the operating surgeon, A. N. Bakulev wrote: "S. I. Spasokukotsky monitored the implementation of this rule personally and steadily, non-observance of it (lateness with the record, its negligence or inaccuracy) led to the deprivation of the right to operate. Sergey Ivanovich himself was a model of accuracy and diligence - his notes were always made in a timely manner, from fresh memory, they were complete, they exhaustively characterized the features ti case and all the vicissitudes of the operation. The recording style of S. I. Spasokukotsky is very peculiar. It is distinguished by great figurativeness, juiciness of language and is far from the accepted scientific and literary standard. **

* (See: A. Ya Pytel, S. D. Goligorsky. S. P. Fedorov as a urologist. - "Surgery", 1969, No. 8.)

** (A. N. Bakulev. Clinical essays on operative surgery, M "Medgiz, 1952, p. 7-8.)

The results of the work of young doctors or members of student scientific circles are usually presented in the form of reports, review abstracts, and individual articles. Reading and discussing them in their groups or in front of a wider audience, as well as publication in the press, are very useful. They teach to public speaking, develop the skills to express their thoughts freely and convincingly. And it must be admitted that in this respect our youth has achieved certain successes. This is shown by the already traditional scientific conferences young scientists, all-Union and republican reviews of the work of student scientific societies.

The importance of such work for the self-education of doctors cannot be underestimated. It will be the more exciting and effective, the more activity, scientific inquisitiveness and independence are shown in it.

• Including in research work, we should never forget that even the most modest scientific report, abstract or article can have some objective value and be of interest only if
• if the topic of the work is not imposed on the author, but is of keen interest to him, corresponds to his internal interests, which should be pure and disinterested, that is, associated exclusively with the desire to study something, find out, explain: “The joy of work is in the work itself!”;
• when the development of a topic is based on one's own, albeit few, but well-documented observations, experiments, and studies. Rene Leriche wrote convincingly about this: “Working on someone else's material is worthless. It allows you to give statistics, and even then its value is relative. Such work is not very inspiring”;
• when all this is stated clearly, clearly, intelligibly, so that “the words are cramped, but the thoughts are spacious” (Nekrasov).

This kind of scientific work is useful and necessary for every physician. It contributes to the improvement of his qualifications, self-affirmation as a specialist.

Much more stringent demands are placed on those of us who decide to devote our lives to serious research (as well as teaching) work. Here, first of all, a vocation, an irresistible attraction and love for science, for one's specialty, is required. Then a sincere desire and ability to work selflessly, hard, not neglecting the most difficult, "dirty" work. “The one who works daily and in one direction succeeds in science” (V. N. Shevkunenko); and, finally, internal composure, organization, the ability to use one's time and opportunities with maximum benefit. “... A scientist must think about his work, read, study and rest” (from the aphorisms of Academician P. L. Kapitsa).

The famous English writer Charles Dickens, in one of his private letters, pointed out: “... I retain the ability to be creative only with the strictest observance of the main condition: to subordinate this creativity all my life, to surrender to it completely, to fulfill its slightest requirements for me, sweeping aside during for whole months, everything that interferes with work "* . And it should be noted with great satisfaction that the history of medicine keeps a lot of names of outstanding medical scientists, whose whole life was completely devoted to science, selfless, often literally ascetic work for the benefit of suffering people. Many of these scientists could not even imagine how it is possible to live outside the world of science, to be deprived of the opportunity to create, find out, and assert something. After all, it was precisely for this reason that the life of the famous German hygienist Max Pettenkofer (1818-1901) was tragically interrupted. He committed suicide at the age of 83, having lost the opportunity to continue his many years of scientific research in old age. It is noteworthy that even such a lover of life as A. M. Gorky found a justification for this act: “... a person has the right to leave life earlier than the time set by nature ... if he has lost his ability to work, and work for him contains the whole meaning of life and all her delight. **

* (From a letter from C. Dickens to M. Winter 3/IV 1855 vol. Collected. op.. t. 30, M., “ Fiction", 1963, p. 28.)

** (M. Gorky. Publicistic articles. L., Ogiz, 1933, p. 113.)

Wonderful examples of such selfless "burning in science" are many and many representatives of world and our domestic medicine. We have already mentioned Professor V. A. Oppel, who, in anticipation of a serious operation - resection of the upper jaw with enucleation of the eye, taught himself to operate and conduct scientific and medical work with only one eye. In the same way, Professor N. A. Bogoraz (1874-1952), famous for his works on reconstructive surgery, having lost both lower limbs as a result of a street injury in 1920, continued to conduct active scientific and pedagogical work on prostheses for many years.

The indefatigable worker Professor N. M. Volkovich (1858-1928), overcoming severe pain (metastasis to the spine of prostate cancer), literally on the eve of his death, took part in the development of the agenda for the next meeting of the surgical society.

In this regard, the life of the famous Swiss surgeon T. Kocher is very instructive. As his student Professor Garre wrote about him, “In his life, Kocher did not want to know anything but medicine and his surgery. No extraneous interests, sports, entertainment interested him. His life was continuous work. Any operational or theoretical problem should have been thoroughly, logically, practically, experimentally worked out by him and put on a solid basis, connected with the latest achievements in natural science, as well as internal medicine, pathological anatomy, bacteriology and other related branches of our specialty. * Kocher worked selflessly until the end of his life: three days before his death, he performed his last operation - a difficult laparotomy.

* (Garre. Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift, 1917, No. 35, p. 1111-1112.)

It is known with what horror our illustrious therapist Sergei Petrovich Botkin treated the very idea of ​​the possibility of stopping scientific and teaching work. He stubbornly rejected the advice of doctors to pay attention to the condition of his heart; when attacks of angina pectoris appeared, he proved that this was another attack of hepatic colic. When, two years before his death, his friend Dr. Belogolovy advised him to stop studying for a year, Botkin “... even turned pale, waved his arms resolutely and, gasping with excitement, exclaimed: “Well, how can you give me such advice? Don't you understand that the clinic is everything for me and I can't live without it? Then I am a completely lost person! *

* (N. Nilov, E. Belov. Botkin, M., "Young Guard", 1966.)

The same worries were experienced by a remarkable Ural scientist, head of the eye diseases clinic of the Perm Medical Institute, Professor Pavel Ivanovich Chistyakov (1867-1959). As his biographers write, having noticed the first signs of a weakening of the working tone, “... he was not afraid to retire. Afraid to become isolated in a narrow circle of interests self, without a native cause, to which his whole life is given. If you retire and give way to the young, then you must remain a consultant, even freelance, free of charge.” His wish came true: until the end of his days he lived in the interests of his beloved science, lectured, operated. And already in his dying delirium, his lips whispered indistinctly: “Try everything - photocells, radio, electrical engineering. We are indebted to the blind... Man must see. In our time there should be no blind people ... ". *

* (V. S. Babushkin. Professor P. I. Chistyakov (Series " Wonderful people Prikamye"). Perm, Prince. publishing house, 1967.)

Finishing this short list of individual figures in medicine who devoted all their strength to the service of science, we consider it necessary to dwell in more detail on the life, truly ascetic path of the remarkable Soviet scientist, professor of the Military Medical Academy named after M.V. S. M. Kirov Viktor Nikolaevich Shevkunenko (1872-1952). His life and activities are brightly covered in a very interesting and instructive book by Professor E. M. Margarin (unfortunately, published in an unacceptably small circulation of 1300 copies). This book is directly required to be read and deeply comprehended not only by any doctor who feels an attraction to scientific work, but also by a teacher who educates our medical team. *

* (Om.: E. A. Margorin, V. N. Shevkunenko. L., "Medicine", 1963.)

V. N. Shevkunenko occupies an honorable place in the history of Soviet medicine, primarily as the creator of the original materialistic doctrine of individual and age-related variability of human organs and systems. For almost 40 years, the efforts of the staff of the Department of Operative Surgery and topographic anatomy VMA. *

* (Since 1929, V.N. Shevkunenko for more than ten years led a similar department at the Central Institute for the Improvement of Physicians named after. V. I. Lenin, where research on this topic was also carried out.)

The novelty and relevance of the subject, the high authority of the leader, the purposeful, active atmosphere that prevailed at the department attracted not only full-time employees, but also numerous "volunteers" to work on it. The number of full-time and freelance employees who worked under the leadership of V. N. Shevkunenko significantly exceeded 250. And the results of their selfless work are truly brilliant: over 400 scientific papers, more than 70 defended dissertations, including more than 30 doctoral dissertations, numerous, attracting general attention reports at congresses of surgeons and anatomists, as well as meetings of scientific societies, a number of excellent manuals on operative surgery and applied anatomy, including the classic three-volume "Course of operative surgery with anatomical and topographic data". A whole galaxy of outstanding surgeons-scientists, brought up in the school of V. N. Shevkunenko, is a truly miraculous monument to the head of this school.

Let us tell about the spiritual qualities of a remarkable scientist in the words of Professor E. M. Margorin:

“He belonged to the researchers who give themselves entirely to science. Thoughts [Followed him everywhere. The notes on a piece of newspaper, on a piece of paper that turned up, testified that the thought caught him at a meeting, on the street, on the train ... The idea absorbed him so much that at times he seemed to withdraw into himself ... The desire to be alone with himself was a natural desire his seeking nature, prone to philosophical generalizations. Over the years this has become more and more evident. He began to avoid noisy society, almost did not go to the theater, avoided meetings ... The elderly professor left his habitable city apartment and in 1926 moved to the village of Lakhta near Leningrad, where he rented two small rooms. Near the calm expanses of the Gulf of Finland (and he loved the sea since childhood), nothing scattered, did not distract attention.

An enemy of all excesses, he limited himself to a more than modest, almost Spartan lifestyle. A simple bed, table, chairs and a shelf with books - that's all the decoration of his room.

He lived semi-reclusively, from year to year making the same route: Lakhta - department, department - Lakhta ... He retreated from the usual order only on the days of his reports and absolutely obligatory meetings.

You think about Viktor Nikolaevich and wonder: why did he manage to create such a fruitful school, what attracted young minds to him? The answer is simple: the originality of scientific thought and a kind attitude towards people... A sympathetic soul was hidden behind external restraint and dispassion. “We live not so much for ourselves as for others,” he said.

He was especially responsive to people in need. But his sensitivity was not like pity. He did not reassure, but strengthened the strength of the human spirit, did not console, but convinced that grief must be overcome ...

Not many people know that Viktor Nikolaevich did not leave medical practice until the end of his days and personally received patients. After him, there were notebooks with tens of thousands of names of patients, the last of which he received on May 17, 1952 ... He tried to help everyone, fussed about getting a job in the clinic, and got rare medicines. The inhabitants of the village of Lakhta knew the old doctor's house well and more than once saw him going to the seriously ill at night; they also knew that the professor always did it free of charge...

Viktor Nikolaevich was distinguished by enviable health, looked much younger than his years, and almost did not get sick. The more unexpected and harder was the blow for him - the disease of glaucoma. One day in September 1940, he suddenly developed an attack of illness, and since then, year after year, he began to lose his sight.

At the end of 1949, complete blindness set in. It was a severe test for Viktor Nikolaevich, but even then he did not complain about his fate and endured misfortune with amazing restraint. The more difficult it became for him, the stronger his will resisted. When he was unable to navigate the pulpit on his own, he asked to stretch the cords on the stairs and in his office so that he could walk without assistance. Quiet sadness emanated from his hunched figure, it was inexpressibly hard to look at his unseeing eyes...

Viktor Nikolaevich fought for his life and tried in every possible way to maintain his way of working day. He still continued to come to the department every day, was interested in scientific research, dictated answers to letters, received patients ... But no matter how the mighty will of Viktor Nikolayevich resisted, years and illness took their toll ... ". *

* (E. A. Margorin. Decree. op., p. 87-94.)

We have given here only some data on the life and scientific activities of individual outstanding medical scientists. What explains the success of their scientific research? What can experience teach them, often with the greatest difficulty?

The answers to these questions, of course, may be different - depending on the age, spiritual make-up, breadth of outlook, and the characteristics of the education of the respondents. But one thing is taught by the example of such people of young doctors who want to devote their lives entirely to scientific activity: no matter how well you study at the medical institute, no matter how diligently you work in laboratories and clinics, no matter how successful the first scientific reports or articles are, be modest , regard these successes correctly as the first scientific experience. Do not think of yourself as scientists prematurely: this can lead you astray. Do not imagine yourself to be them later, when you are lucky enough to enter a wider scientific road. Do not forget that, even with a scientific degree, you can turn out to be a hollow flower and, even wearing a high scientific title don't be a real scientist.

Big science is persistent work, disinterested search for truth, tireless burning. And, as Marx said, “only he can reach its shining peaks who, without fear of fatigue, climbs along its rocky paths.” It is better for weak spirits, careerists, lazy people not to embark on these paths!

Many questions were raised at the meeting at the residence at Karl Marx, 38. What does the army of candidates and doctors of sciences do? Where is our high-tech? Do we need the Academy of Sciences in the organizational form in which it exists now? How to manage more effectively budget appropriations? Etc. However, in the end, it all came down to the fact that the state no longer had the opportunity to sponsor fruitless research. Both fundamental and all other sciences should give a useful return to society. How else?

This conversation, to be honest, has been going on for more than a year. Large-scale work has been carried out, Belarusian science has been reoriented from a larger point of view to production. This can be easily proven by numbers: almost 90 percent of all funds allocated for research are directed to applied development. However, the efficiency of this activity still leaves much to be desired.

When some scientific forums are held in Minsk under the auspices of the CIS, it is a pleasure to attend them, especially if you are a functionary of Belarusian science. So many excellent epithets are heard about Belarus - and from the Nobel laureate Alferov and other luminaries. Against the background of other Commonwealth countries, we really look good, but on a global scale, Belarus cannot become a leader in the production of high-tech products. And without it, a prosperous economy is impossible. Only products with high added value, ie. with a large intellectual component, will allow you to get away from the negative balance in trade and the whole heap of financial problems associated with it. Alas, so far, as it was announced at yesterday's meeting, we buy raw materials abroad for a larger amount than we sell goods made from it.

Of course, this is more of an economic problem, but serious help is also expected from scientists. Vice-Rector for Research of the Vitebsk State Technological University, Doctor of Economics Elena Vankevich tried to prove that the enterprises themselves poorly attract postgraduate graduates. Only 8 percent of them go into production. Education Minister Sergei Maskevich added to his colleague, saying that universities are waiting for more concrete proposals from industry.

“Come, we will find you popular scientific areas,” said First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko. It seems that he also wanted to add: "If you yourself do not see them" ... He "offhand" gave several examples. Here the construction of the nuclear power plant begins. The $10 billion project is an unplowed field, a whole range for various scientific developments. But the Government does not feel proper support from the National Academy of Sciences.

Or here's another example. When there was an accident at the mine in Soligorsk, they could not cope on their own, they had to call in scientists from the United States, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, and they were able to solve an essentially scientific problem. Where are our scientists?

Of course, one should not reduce the entire huge layer of science to practical inventions. There is fundamental science, studies that may not yield results until years later. Finally, there are the humanities. But the state, according to the President, does not get the necessary result from them either.

The President did not hide his disappointment:

Somewhere in our country there was a panic, there was not enough money, a negative trade balance. But these are trifles that are solved and will be solved. The question is deeper - will we remain a state on the world map or not... Here is the Eurasian Union. What are we going to do, how to do it - I did not hear the opinion of a single scientist. Why should I sit, invent something, ask someone for advice on how we will act and make decisions? What if I'm wrong? Those are the main questions! And where are the scientists?.. Or today there is a dispute, fighting local importance: how are we going to live on in the economy, adding half a percent to GDP or 5.5 percent, because it is impossible to stop a heated economy? I didn't hear a single voice from outside scientific community. And tomorrow's life will depend on this decision.

In general, Alexander Lukashenko confirmed that the state will support scientists. But only real scientists producing a worthwhile product in the broadest sense of the word. He ordered to prepare a package of measures for the reorganization of scientific activity in the country and the introduction of targeted financing by the New Year.