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Emil Osann

1787 – 1842

German physiologist

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About Emil Osann

Lived 1787 – 1842 (aged 54). Emil Osann was a German physician, university teacher, physiologist and cure doctor.

Emil Osann (May 25, 1787 – January 11, 1842) was a German medical doctor and physiologist from Weimar. He was a founder of scientific balneology.

He was the brother of philologist Friedrich Gotthilf Osann (1794-1858) and chemist Gottfried Osann (1796-1866).

He studied medicine in Jena and Göttingen, and later worked an assistant in a Berlin polyclinic founded by his uncle, Christoph Wilhelm Hufeland (1762–1836). In 1826 he became a full professor of Heilmittellehre (medical instruction), and in 1833 became director of the aforementioned clinic.

Osann is remembered for his work on the effects of mineral springs from a physical and medical standpoint. Among his writings was a two-volume work on European mineral spas, titled Physikalisch-medicinische Darstellung der bekannten Heilquellen der vorzüglichsten Länder Europas. It is considered to be the first comprehensive publication in the field of balneology.

In 1837 Osann became sole editor of the Journal der praktischen Heilkunde (Journal of Practical Medicine).

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Important facts

Birth century
Education
University of Göttingen, University of Jena
Employers
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

People in Emil Osann's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Emil Osann's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Emil Osann?

German physiologist

When was Emil Osann born?

Emil Osann was born on 25 May 1787 in Weimar.

When did Emil Osann die?

Emil Osann died on 11 January 1842 in Berlin.

What was Emil Osann's occupation?

Emil Osann was a physician, university teacher, physiologist and cure doctor.

What nationality was Emil Osann?

Emil Osann was German.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Emil Osann

· Wikidata: Q95977

· DBpedia: Emil Osann

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Emil Osann. https://biography.guide/emil-osann/

MLA: "Emil Osann." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/emil-osann/.

Chicago: "Emil Osann." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/emil-osann/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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