Constantin Tsiminakis (1875-1942): Neurologist, Neuropathologist, Statesman

Abstract

The article is a 75-year memorial tribute to the Greek neurologist, Constantin Tsiminakis (1875-1942). Coming from a family of physicians, Tsiminakis graduated from the University of Athens in 1897, and trained in Vienna under Nothnagel, Frankl-Hochwart, and Obersteiner. In 1905, he was appointed Reader in Neurology and Psychiatry at his alma mater. He published over 40 articles on topics of neurology and neuropathology, including megalencephaly, hydrocephalus, progressive paralysis, epidemic encephalitis, dengue fever, and narcolepsy. However, his main focus of interest was epilepsy, including post-encephalitic forms. To differentially diagnose true from feigned epilepsy, he devised a method of compressing the carotids, which became known as the "Tsiminakis maneuver". A cultivated man and a talented poet, he rebutted the Freudian interpretation of artistic creativity. Finally, in the national legislative election in 1923, Tsiminakis was elected a Plenipotentiary Member of the Hellenic Parliament under the Liberal Party and served until 1925.