History of Development of Gastrointestinal Physiology: From Antiquity to Modern Period and the Birth of Modern Digestive Physiology

Abstract

Curiosity and the quest for addressing human maladies or problems of nature are possibly the key driving forces for discoveries in science. Apart from shaping the reputation of the scientists and historically inscribing his or her name in the memorable plate, outstanding discoveries in science gain varying levels of recognition from the local to the global stage. The Nobel Prize is the most respected honor and highest level of recognition given to any individual on planet Earth for exceptional contribution to solving key problems of nature and mankind. Since 1901, this highest accolade started recognizing extraordinary endeavor of scientists in addressing glaring issues of existence and nature. Traditionally, the prize is given in literature, physics, chemistry, and physiology or medicine. Over the past years, award recipients, probably due to the interchangeability and relationship between disciplines in science, scientists who are physicians and researchers in physiology or medicine, for example, have been awarded the prize not only in physiology or medicine, but also in chemistry. Chemistry and physiology or medicine have had a close relationship as regards discoveries that have necessitated the award of the Nobel Prize. Except in rare cases where the prize was awarded to a discovery that happened by chance, most awards were made to discoveries that had solid roots in the previous works of other scientists. Therefore, it is imperative to have a basic knowledge of the historic timeline of major developmental events and achievements to allow for meaningful future investigations that could fetch the world results for the betterment of life. Since its inception, out of 211 Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine, awarded between 1901 and 2016 (107 times of Nobel Prize awards), five laureates have received the prestigious award in the area of the gastrointestinal physiology. All five prizes were won by scientists whose works were rooted in previous works of other scientists. The research works of the scientists whose ideas laid the basis for breakthrough studies are worth considering. The first Nobel laureate in the area of gastrointestinal (GI) physiology, Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (1849-1936), who set the stage for breakthrough discoveries in GI physiology, is a physician, physiologist, and pharmacologist. He won the prize in 1904, making him the fourth scientist in the list of Nobel Prize Winners since the inception of the award in 1901. Apart from the Nobel Prize, there are other scientific prizes with