The year past, 1997, was a banner
one for century watchers, especially in music. It marked the
bicentennial of the birth of both Schubert and Donizetti, the
centennial of the death of Brahms, and the sesquicentennial of
Beethoven's demise as well. However, we in cardiology
had another muse who should have been commemorated but somehow was
overlooked. If he had lived until 1997, Dr Louis N. Katz would have
celebrated his 100th birthday.
At a time when support for cardiovascular research
seems to be dwindling, when public confidence in the powers of science
may be wavering, when even the virtue of the scientific enterprise is
occasionally called into doubt, it is important to remember Dr Katz:
who he was and what he represented.
The numerous obituaries and reminiscences that appeared after his
passing gave full emphasis to the esteem in which he was held by all
those who had come into contact with him. The present recollection
is from one of the many who admired him only from afar, most often
during periodic encounters at scientific meetings and through the
reading of many of the articles published by his very productive
research group and by him personally. The fact that even such a
secondhand knowledge of him by one of the budding cardiologists of his
era remains so vivid after all this time is, perhaps, an even greater
testimonial to his influence than the recollections that have emanated
from his intimates.
It would be difficult for a neophyte today, when
© 1998 American Heart Association, Inc.
Special Report
Remembering Louis N. Katz, MD (1897–1973)