Virchow, << FIHR koh, >> Rudolf (1821-1902), was a prominent German physician, scientist, and statesman. He helped develop pathology (the study of diseased body tissue). Virchow believed that the cell is the basic unit of human life and that disease results from disturbances in the function of cells. He showed that the effects of disease could be detected by observing cells through a microscope. Virchow described his findings in his book Cellular Pathology (1858).
Virchow believed that some diseases were caused by bad living conditions, and he devoted his political career to promoting social reform and public health. He participated in the Revolution of 1848, a series of European uprisings for greater political freedom. In 1859, he was elected to the Berlin City Council, where he argued that every citizen had a constitutional right to health. In 1861, Virchow was elected to the Prussian National Assembly. From 1871 to 1893, he served in the Reichstag (parliament) of Germany. Virchow was born on Oct. 13, 1821, in Schivelbein (now Swidwin, Poland). He died on Sept. 5, 1902.
