The department of general and experimental pathology at the German University of Prague was founded in 1872. From the very beginning the "Propaedeutic Clinic" was attached to the department, with the initial function of providing the necessary demonstration material for the lectures. The department had altogether four directors between 1872 and 1945 (the propaedeutic clinic was dissolved in 1935 already): Philipp Knoll (1841-1900), Heinrich Ewald Hering (1866-1948), Artur Biedl (1869-1933) and Julius Rihl (1879-1961). Important fundamental research was carried out both at the department and at the clinic and certain pupils who trained at these twin institutions became famous subsequently and some even founded their own schools. Amongst these distinguished scientists were Wilhelm Raab (1895-1970), Hans Selye (1907-1982) and Maximilian Reiss (*1900). Important research work on the physiological functions of and pathological changes in the circulatory system and metabolic pathways was undertaken at both Prague institutions. These publications made a significant contribution to the theoretical basis for the practice of medicine.