[Historical development of medical malpractice (author's transl)].

The first legal rules about medical malpractice are to be found in 1700 B.C. (Antique Babylon). Only about 3,000 years later a legally based definition about medical malpractice is given in the "Carolina" and a judgement by experts (medical professional people) is demanded. In about 1630, Paolo Zacchia finds the following statement for medical malpractice: "Medicus errat ommitendo et commitendo". In 1797, Fahner demands a modern definition (still acknowledged today) for medical malpractice and he demands courts for the medical profession. With the Prussian Medical Legislation part of these demands were met in the first third of the 19th century.