Albert Mueller-Deham: distinguished geriatric clinician.

Modern geriatrics is the product of notable clinicians, past and present. However, recognition has been unequal. Pioneers whose publications were pre-eminent in their time have not received adequate identification. In consequence, the field is poorer for such neglect. Albert Mueller-Deham (1881-1971) of Vienna did excellent work in geriatrics. His clinical abilities were based on long staff attendance at a major hospital and by his insistence on attendance, with his staff, at autopsies. His key textbook was published in 1937 in German. His career in Austria was disrupted by political forces but, with energy and ability, he continued it with distinction in the United States. After retirement at age 70, he turned to social writings. A bio-bibliography of this noteworthy man is based on several letters, a personal narrative that he wrote in response to questions about his years in geriatrics, notes from one of his staff, and recollections by his co-author in 1942 of the revised American edition of the book. Students of aging can benefit by recourse to his classical text with its group of clinical principles.