Edward Christian Arning Paintings

Edward Christian Arning was not primarily known as an artist but rather as a distinguished German dermatologist and leprologist. Born on January 5, 1855, in Hamburg, Germany, Arning made significant contributions to the medical field, particularly in the study and treatment of leprosy.

Arning studied medicine at the University of Bonn, the University of Strasbourg, and the University of Leipzig. After completing his studies, he worked at the Eppendorf Hospital in Hamburg. In 1883, he was sent by the German government to the Kingdom of Hawaii to conduct research on leprosy and work at the leper settlement in Molokai. During his time there, he attempted to inoculate non-leprous individuals with leprosy in order to learn more about the disease and its transmission, which was a highly controversial experiment.

Despite his main focus on medicine, Arning may have had an interest in art, as many educated individuals of his era did. However, his legacy does not revolve around any artistic achievements but rather around his medical research and his attempts to find a cure for leprosy. He introduced the use of chaulmoogra oil in the treatment of leprosy, which was one of the few treatments available before the development of antibiotics.

After his time in Hawaii, Arning continued his work in Germany and became a respected figure in the medical community for his expertise in dermatology and leprosy. He published numerous articles and studies on various skin diseases throughout his career. Edward Christian Arning passed away on September 25, 1936, in Hamburg. While his name may not be found in the annals of art history, his contributions to medical science have left an indelible mark on the history of dermatology and the treatment of leprosy.