What do we know about the medical biography of Kemal Ataturk (1881-1938)? A summary of the state of knowledge and outlook on relevant issues for further research

Vatanoglu-Lutz E. E., Hot I., Coban M.

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL BIOGRAPHY, vol.21, no.3, pp.136-142, 2013 (AHCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 21 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/0967772013479754
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF MEDICAL BIOGRAPHY
  • Journal Indexes: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.136-142
  • Keywords: Ataturk, Mustafa Kemal
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first President of the Turkish republic, is the subject of many more or less ‘heroic’ biographies and few critical ones. His anamnesis, however, is only available in fragments. Many books omit details of Atatürk’s health and life, for example his bloodline, his illness and eventually his death, his funeral prayer and ceremony and his burial. His liver problem, diagnosed as cirrhosis and said to be the cause of his death, is well described but his general health and other sicknesses are scarcely recorded. This paper provides an overview of his anamnesis as far as it is known, the literature describing it and the level of knowledge generally published, and it also indicates where original research in the archives is needed to complete the picture.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder and first President of the Turkish republic, is the subject of many more or less heroic' biographies and few critical ones. His anamnesis, however, is only available in fragments. Many books omit details of Ataturk's health and life, for example his bloodline, his illness and eventually his death, his funeral prayer and ceremony and his burial. His liver problem, diagnosed as cirrhosis and said to be the cause of his death, is well described but his general health and other sicknesses are scarcely recorded. This paper provides an overview of his anamnesis as far as it is known, the literature describing it and the level of knowledge generally published, and it also indicates where original research in the archives is needed to complete the picture.