Matson Yuliy (Ferdinand) Ivanovich – clinician, therapist, ascetic doctor, public figure.
Place of Birth, Education
He was born on April 22, 1817 in Riga.
From 1829 to 1836 he studied at the Dorpat gymnasium.
In 1838 he entered the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Dorpat (now the University of Tartu). During his studies, he studied pathological anatomy, physiology and pathology.
On January 28, 1843, he graduated from the university and received the qualification of a doctor of the 1st department.
Career
On August 15, 1843, Matson was appointed a doctor at the Skvyra District Hospital. He also served as the city doctor of Skvyra.
In 1844, he moved to the position of a doctor at the Kyiv Home for the Mentally Ill, where he worked until 1853.
From 1848 to 1855 he was a part-time doctor at the Kyiv-Mezhyhirya faience factory.
At the same time, Matson was engaged in clinical medicine and pathological anatomy, in particular, he studied cases of Bright’s disease.
On May 15, 1850, he defended his dissertation on Bright’s disease and received the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
On November 11, 1852, he was elected an adjunct of the Department of Private Pathology and Therapy of the Kyiv University of St. Volodymyr.
From September 29, 1854, Matson temporarily taught general pathology and pathological anatomy. Subsequently, he became an extraordinary professor of the Department of Pathology and Pathological Anatomy, and in 1858 – an ordinary professor.
In the first year of the department, Matson purchased a microscope, and in 1865 – 3 more. Thanks to this, microscopy began to be used in students’ education and scientific research.
Matson taught pathological physiology, pathological anatomy and histology. He paid attention to practical classes, autopsies and pathological and histological examinations.
In 1855-1856 and during 1865 he headed the hospital therapeutic clinic.
From 1868 to 1870 he was the dean of the Faculty of Medicine.
In particular, after 1863, he abandoned private practice and focused on scientific and teaching work.
From 1870 to 1883, Matson headed the Kyiv branch of the Red Cross, and in 1871-1875 – the Kyiv City Sanitary Commission.
He also participated in the creation of the Alexander Hospital and from 1875 to 1885 was its first director.
Death
He passed away on December 20, 1885 in Kyiv at the age of 68.
