Lunin Nikolai Ivanovich, the author of the doctrine of vitamins: biography

Not everyone knows the name of Lunin Nikolai Ivanovich. But it was this scientist who discovered the useful properties of vitamins. Prior to this historic discovery, the nutritional value of the consumed products was determined only according to the presence in them of such constituents as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Who is Lunin Nikolai Ivanovich? Biography, life path, the scientist's contribution to science - all this will be considered in our article.

Early years

Lunin Nikolai Ivanovich was born on May 9, 1854 in the city of Dorpat( Tartu), which was in the Livonian Province of the Russian Empire. A boy was born in the family of the lexicographer Ivan Lunin. The father of our hero was famous as the author of the first ever Estonian-Russian dictionary. Also the head of the family was fond of translating the Orthodox literature into Estonian. Nicholas's mother - Anna Bakaldina, did not have any creative talents.

A young man was trained in a regular gymnasium in his native city. After graduating, he entered Derpt University. Here it was distributed to the medical faculty. It is noteworthy that at that time in Derpt University all subjects were taught in German.

Our prestigious university graduated in 1878.However, NI Lunin decided not to leave Derptsky, or, as he was called, the University of Tartu. In order to further improve, he remained at the department of physiology. Initially, the young man spent a year internship in the largest European cities. In particular, the former student studied at the best educational institutions in Berlin, Strasbourg, Paris and Vienna. Returning to the University of Tartu, Lunin began to put his first scientific experiments.

Medical practice

In 1882, the scientist moved to St. Petersburg. The next few years, Nikolai Ivanovich worked in the hospital of the Prince of Oldenburg, where he held the post of children's doctor. Then the outstanding professor Vladimir Nikolaevich Reitz organized a research center for studying the diseases of the younger generation at the Institute of Princess Elena Pavlovna. Soon here was invited Nikolai Lunin, who became one of the most talented researchers and teachers on the course.

Public activities

In 1897 our hero became the head of the orphanage, which operated under the Elizabethan hospital. From this moment, an active social activity began to occupy the most important part of the scientist's life. He had a membership in the Society of German Doctors, was in the department for the establishment of institutes, presided over the Russian Geographical Community. Since 1925, Nikolai Ivanovich was engaged in consultations of the population on pediatrics in the field of ear, throat and nasal diseases.

Passion for all life

Ivan Nikolaevich Lunin, besides fruitful work in the field of scientific research, was known as a successful dog breeder. More than three decades of his life, an outstanding researcher devoted to the breeding, breeding and improvement of dog pointer.

NI Lunin was an ardent hunter. Once he came up with the idea of ​​bringing out the ideal Russian policeman. To create a new breed the scientist decided, using his experience in crossing animals. The result of many years of trial and error were first-class pointers, which caused genuine delight for everyone who had to see them.

Dogs that were the result of breeding, combined the qualities necessary for hunting in the field, with a beautiful appearance and powerful physique. The consolidation of this breed allowed Nikolai Ivanovich Lunin to stand on a par with the most outstanding dog breeders in the world. To this day, the pointer retains the glory of the brilliant achievement of Russian cynology. Until his death, the famous scientist remained the unchallenged chairman of all kinds of meetings and commissions in the field of breeding thoroughbred dogs, and also repeatedly played the role of a judge during field trials and exhibitions. Active cynological and social activities allowed Nikolai Ivanovich Lunin to become a man for whom Russian dog breeders were equal for decades. Preconditions for the discovery of vitamins

As early as the end of the 19th century, mankind had no information about the existence of vitamins. Scientists believed that for the healthy functioning of the body it is sufficient to have only fats, proteins and carbohydrates in the food. As it turned out later, thanks to the research of Nikolai Ivanovich Lunin, things were different.

In ancient times people often suffered from such pathological manifestations as scurvy, rickets, night blindness. Diseases were a consequence of the development of avitaminosis. Often such ailments amazed seafarers, expedition participants, travelers, military men, prisoners, and also the population of besieged cities. All these people lacked vitamins due to a deficit in the diet of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Scientists and physicians have long tried to prove that the above diseases are caused by infections, as well as the penetration of food poisons and toxins into the body. This continued until the time when the outstanding Russian scientist made his discovery.

Lunin Nikolai Ivanovich: vitamins

In 1880, a Russian researcher presented to the scientific community the results of his experiments marked in the thesis entitled "On the Importance of Inorganic Salts for Animal Nutrition".It was in this work that the existence of vitamins and their role in the vital activity of organisms was first noted.

The prerequisite for the discovery was a number of laboratory studies. Nikolai Lunin decided to take the experimental mice, dividing them into several groups. The scientist fed the rodents with organic composition, the basic components of which were mineral salts, water, fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Another group of researchers offered natural cow milk.

Mice of the first category perished for several weeks. The rest of the subjects who used the natural product maintained their normal state of health. Based on the results, Nikolai Ivanovich concluded that the milk contains previously unknown trace elements, without which the body can not do. The final step was made by the Polish researcher Kazimir Funk, who took advantage of Lunin's developments and synthesized vitamins from organic substances by chemical means.

Further studies of

In the 20s of the XX century, researchers determined that when a known at that time science of vitamin B dissolved in water, its derivatives, such as B1, B2, B3, were formed. The discovery revealed a number of other essential substances for the body, in particular, vitamins B12( cyanocobalamin), B9( folic acid), B5( pyridoxine) and others. In total, scientists recorded dozens of previously uncharted compounds. Methods for obtaining vitamins by artificial means were soon developed.

In conclusion

In 1934, Nikolai Ivanovich officially retired. An outstanding researcher lived for another 3 years and left our world in 1937.His body was buried next to the teacher Karl Rauchhfus at Volkovsky Cemetery in St. Petersburg. Later, the name of Nikolai Lunin was named street and lane in his hometown of Tartu. Also here appeared Vitaminy Street, which received its name in honor of the discovery of scientists vitamins.