Franz Riegel

Who was Franz Riegel?

Franz Riegel was a German internist and gastroenterologist who was a native of Brückenau.

He studied medicine at the University of Würzburg, and following graduation furthered his studies in Vienna with Johann von Oppolzer. Afterwards he returned to Würzburg as an assistant to Heinrich von Bamberger, and later Carl Gerhardt. In 1871 he was a lecturer of experimental pathology at the University of Würzburg, and in 1874 became director of the Cologne city hospital. In 1879 he was appointed to the chair of medicine at the University of Giessen, where he would remain until his death in 1904.

Riegel's research involved studies of the respiratory system, vasomotor influences, the effects of substances such as caffeine, atropine and jaborandi, conditions of the heart and blood pressure in nephritis, et al. He is remembered for his extensive research of gastric disorders; his last written work discussing distinctions between hyperacidity and hypersecretion.

His best known written work was Die Erkrankungen des Magens, a book that was later translated into English.