Life and Scientific Works of Academician V.K. Kulagin

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of an array of scientific publications of the outstanding pathophysiologist academician Victor K. Kulagin. The purpose of the report is to reveal and emphasize the contribution of V.K. Kulagin to the development of the doctrine of trauma and shock. The analysis showed that the main aspects of Kulagin's experimental investigations were neurohumoral mechanisms of traumatic shock, differences between traumatic shock and shock at blood loss, role of endocrine system disorders (pituitary gland, adrenal cortex) and significance of changes in some enzyme systems in shock pathogenesis. Kulagin developed methods of early prevention and principles of treatment of shock and blood loss using blood, blood substitutes, adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticosteroids and some enzymes. The results of his research allowed him to create a holistic pathogenetically based picture of shock. Kulagin came close to solving the problem of early prevention of shock, he stood at the origins of the concept of traumatic disease.