Robert Koch is the initiator of the modern microbiology, the founder of the tuberclebacillus as well bacilli of anthrax and cholera and the creator of world bacteriology school. In 1905 he was awarded Nobel prize and became well known in medical society. However, his connections and influence on Lithuanian medicine is not investigated and there are no publications about him.
In the archives (stock F-26) of the Manuscript department of the Vilnius University library a diploma copy of the honorary member was found indicating 26 the documents were also found showing that chairmen of the Vilnius Medical society were corresponding with R. Koch and used his discoveries in fighting tuberculosis. In 1896 in the territory of Lithuania R. Koch investigated leprosy. On his initiative in 1899 a leprosorium was opened in Klaipėda. Commemorating R. Koch’s one hundred year death anniversary we remember him as a great scientist, honorary member of Vilnius Medi cal society who laid foundation for fighting tuberculosis in Lithuania.
