Seigo Minami

Seigo Minami (皆見 省吾, Minami Seigo, November 1, 1893 – September 6, 1975) was a Japanese dermatologist. In 1923, he first reported crush syndrome while he was studying in Germany. He worked as professor of dermatology at Okayama University and Kyushu University. To stimulate dermatological research among young Japanese dermatologists, he offered Minami awards.

Life

• He was born on November 1, 1893 in Hiroshima Prefecture. After graduation from Tokyo University in 1918, he went to Europe in 1922 to study. In 1924, he became Professor of Dermatology, Okayama University and in 1931, Professor of Dermatology, Kyushu University. In 1948, he retired and started Minami Syphilis Research Institute and Hospital in Fukuoka. To stimulate dermatology research, he created Minami Award in 1954. In 1966, he was given the best physician award by the Japan Medical Association.

Studying Abroad

• He was ordered to translate the book World history of syphils into German by his senior Keizo Dohi which he accomplished after arriving at Berlin.
• He studied pathology under Professor Pick in Berlin and published a paper which was the first report on crush syndrome.
• Later he helped Otto Heinrich Warburg to obtain the Nobel Prize for physiology and medicine.

Minami Award

• In 1954, he created Minami Award in order to stimulate dermatological research in young Japanese dermatologists. The award is given at the Congresses of the Japanese Dermatological Association with money. The recipients were mostly in their thirties.

References

• Seigo Minami reported Crush syndrome for the first time in the world. Matsuki Akitomo, Masui(Anestheology), 55,2,222-228, 2006.(in Japanese)