Pavlov's years of life and death. Ivan Pavlov: secrets of life and death. He was poisoned by the NKVD

© N.A.Grigoryan

N.A. Grigoryan,

Doctor of Medical Sciences,
Institute of the History of Natural Science and Technology named after S.I. Vavilov RAS, Moscow

In recent years, the point of view has been repeatedly expressed orally and in writing, according to which Ivan Petrovich Pavlov died a violent death. At the same time, without any factual evidence, the authors of such a version try to substantiate it with references to the fact that someone once said something to someone.

The famous historian of psychology, who recently emigrated to the USA, M.G. Yaroshevsky writes:

“There is a version that he[Pavlova] removed. The famous physiologist I.A. Arshavsky testifies: “I know that from the beginning to the end of Pavlov’s illness, V. Galkin was with him, who considered himself both a student of Pavlov and a student of Speransky. In 1937 or 1938, Speransky told me, referring to Galkin, that during the treatment of Pavlov, who, although sick, was already recovering (in general, he was “tailored” for no less than a hundred years), they were replaced all doctors.”

Knowing the “methods” of eastern despotism that were implanted in Russia during this era, this evidence seems trustworthy, especially since it was expressed by Galkin... Ahead was 1937 and the existence of Pavlov, the only person in the entire multimillion-dollar empire who invariably openly criticized Stalin’s atrocities were clearly an undesirable phenomenon. <...>

It is quite possible that the NKVD authorities “eased” Pavlov’s suffering.”.

There is no basis for such statements. It is appropriate to recall that Pavlov also suffered from lobar pneumonia in 1927, after his gallstone was removed. The treating therapists were M.K. Petrova and M.A. Gorshkov.

Now let's look at the facts. “Facts are the air of a scientist... Without them, your “theories” are empty attempts,”- Pavlov bequeathed.

Throughout the spring of 1935 - from March 27 to June 7 - Pavlov was seriously ill for almost two and a half months. On March 27 I caught a cold due to unfavorable weather. March 29 - t=38°C. Council of doctors on April 1: professors M.V. Chernorutsky, M.M. Bok, M.K. Petrova, M.A. Gorshkov. Diagnosis: severe bronchitis, inflammation in both lungs, extensive right-sided dry pleurisy, bilateral purulent inflammation of the middle ear, manifestations of a general toxic infection. Blood pressure 140/60, pulse 100.

On April 2, D.D. Pletnev was invited and left for Moscow on April 4. On April 6, the patient was examined by surgeon professors V.A. Shaak and E.V. Bush. On April 10, the patient was consulted by a famous otolaryngologist, professor of the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases of the Military Medical Academy V.I. Voyachek. He and Dr. V.F. Undritz had previously treated Pavlov for severe purulent inflammation of the ears. In his letter of gratitude to Voyachek, Pavlov wrote: “Dear and dear Vladimir Ignatievich! I ask you to accept the parcel as a keepsake as a sign of my heartfelt gratitude to you for your extraordinary, true comradely help during my serious and long illness.”. Pavlov gave Voyachek a painting (oil) by the famous artist N.N. Dubovsky (Voyachek hung the painting like an expensive relic in his office at the Military Medical Academy).

Pletnev consulted the patient again on April 10, 21 and 22. Treatment consisted of the following: cups, mustard plasters, camphor, expectorant mixtures, digitalis, quinidine, carbolene, enemas. Doctors on duty: Savchenko, Kurakin, medical assistant Forel.

On June 7, he began to go outside. On June 11, from 2 to 4 p.m., I was in the laboratory at VIEM, and on June 12, I went to Koltushi.

In connection with the recovery of I.P. Pavlov, on June 9, 1935, order No. 469 was issued to the People's Commissariat of Health of the RSFSR, which stated:

“The exceptionally attentive attitude of the professors, doctors on duty and medical assistants who took part in the treatment of Academician I.P. Pavlov in March-May of this year was noted.

Due to this:

1. I express my gratitude to Professors Gorshkov M.A., Bok M.M., Chernorutsky M.V., Voyachek V.I., Pletnev D.D., Bush E.V., Shaak V.A., Dr. Undritz V. .F. and director of the Leningrad branch of VIEM comrade Nikitin N.N.

2. To award at the expense of the People’s Commissariat of Health:

a) doctors on duty: Savchenko V.A. in the amount of 1000 rubles.

Kurakina S.V. in the amount of 1000 rubles.

Sidorenkova N.A. in the amount of 1000 rubles.

b) medical assistants on duty:

Forel R.A. in the amount of 1000 rubles.

Ivanova V.P. in the amount of 500 rubles.

It is appropriate to cite the following testimony from M.K. Petrova about Pavlov’s mood immediately after recovery. “Amidst the conversation, Eve[en] P[etrovich] exclaimed: “And the Bolsheviks already wanted to bury me, but I took it and recovered.” And he named the people who wanted to bury him. This is A.D.S.[Peranese], L.N.F[edorov], N.N.N[ikitin] and others A.D.S[Peranese] he also considered himself a Bolshevik. I was completely seething with indignation and in a passion I told him: not Bolsheviks, Iv[en] P[etrovich], you were buried! So much attention, love and care was shown to you during your illness. They love you and really wanted your recovery, despite the fact that you scold them, but honestly and openly recognize all their positive sides.”.

After recovery, Pavlov took part in the II International Congress of Neuropathologists in London (July 1935). At the general meeting of Congress on July 30, 1935, he made a report “Types of higher nervous activity in connection with neuroses and psychoses and the physiological mechanism of neurotic and psychotic symptoms.”

Upon returning from London, Pavlov, as president of the XV International Physiological Congress, conducted it brilliantly. The artist M.V. Nesterov recalled his meeting with Pavlov at this time as follows. “Ivan Petrovich was with his family at Sivtsev Vrazhek. I was glad to see him again cheerful, as if rejuvenated - and this after a serious illness and two congresses.” .

And at the same time, it was precisely a severe and prolonged illness in the spring of 1935 that gave Pavlov doubt about his longevity. Almost six months after the illness, in a letter to the then USSR Ambassador to England I.M. Maisky on October 20, 1935, Pavlov wrote: “Damn flu! It knocked down my confidence to live to be a hundred years old. The tail of it still remains, although I still do not allow changes in the distribution and size of my activities.”.

Eight months later, Pavlov fell ill again. The attending physicians were the same: M.M. Bok, M.V. Chernorutsky and D.D. Pletnev.

Bulletin No. 1 of February 23 says that I.P. Pavlov fell ill on the night of February 22 with influenza, and on the 23rd he developed bronchitis.

On the morning of the 24th - temperature 38.10, pulse 80, symptoms of diffuse bronchitis with small inflammatory nests in the lungs, mainly on the right. Sputum is released in large quantities. The heart works quite satisfactorily with a small amount of cardiac drugs. The current situation does not cause concern, but it is not possible to give a definite conclusion about the future. Signatures of D.D. Pletnev and M.M. Bok.

February 24 at 11 p.m.: t°=38.6, pulse 76, satisfactory. The condition is satisfactory, the psyche is alive. In the lungs - diffuse bronchitis. Purpose: caffeine, camphor, aspirin. D.D.Pletnev and M.M.Bok. On February 25, there was no change in the patient’s condition.

The deterioration occurred on February 26th. At 11:30: t°=37.7, pulse 130, rhythmic, breathing is hard, in the lower parts there is a muffled muffled sound and bronchial breathing, more on the left. Catarrhal phenomena are more pronounced on the right. The tongue is dry and coated. The abdomen is swollen and tense.

There are no symptoms of organic damage to the nervous system. Pletnev, Bok, Nikitin.

Somewhat later, on February 26, the patient’s condition sharply worsened: consciousness was darkened, bilateral inflammation was growing, pulse was 120, respiration was 40 (the latter became threatening). It was possible to bring him out of the ensuing collapse with intravenous therapy. Consciousness cleared up somewhat, but the patient’s condition remained extremely serious. Bok, Pletnev, Chernorutsky.

On the same day at 9 pm: pulse 130-140, intermittent, often weakening. At 10 pm - cold sweat. Breathing - 46 with wheezing. Pulse 148, thread-like. In the lungs, in both lower lobes, there is gross dullness and sharp bronchial breathing. The phenomenon of diffuse bronchitis is more pronounced. The patient was brought out of the state of collapse with intravenous therapy.

At 11:30 pulse 120. Breathing somewhat faster and deeper. Consciousness is somewhat clearer. Swallows water and wine. The general condition is slightly better compared to 10 pm, but remains extremely serious. Prescriptions: strophanthin, digalene, caffeine, camphor, subcutaneous infusion of saline, 40% glucose.

February 27 at 2 am: difficulty breathing, half-conscious. The pulse is arrhythmic, the collapse has begun again. Cold sweat. Decline in cardiac activity. Intravenous infusion of strophanthin and strychnine managed to eliminate the second collapse.

Over the next half hour, several short-term attacks of excitement: the patient jumps up, screams: “Get up, get dressed!”

2 45 - sudden sharp difficulty breathing and an instant drop in pulse. Oxygen. No effect.

2 47 - no pulse, heart sounds are not heard. For several minutes, very infrequent breaths are taken at irregular intervals.

2 52 - breathing stopped. The patient died.

Signatures: Bok, A.D. Speransky, V.A. Savchenko (doctor on duty), Professor V.S. Galkin, Doctor Lebedev, I.S. Rosenthal.

Speransky and Rosenthal are Pavlov's students, Galkin is a neuropathologist and neurosurgeon.

Speransky, who was next to the sick Pavlov on his last day, wrote:

“A slight illness of a flu-like nature, which he had almost managed to overcome, suddenly became more complicated. The morning of the last day found him excited and restless. He anxiously stated to the doctors who came to him that he felt unusual, like never before, that he was forgetting words and saying others that were unnecessary, that he was making some movements involuntarily: “Excuse me, but this is the cortex, this is the cortex, this is swelling of the cortex.”

Attempts to dissuade him by the therapists present here were unsuccessful. Ivan Petrovich simply stated that he was not interested in their opinion and demanded a neurologist. The extreme impatience he displayed during the waiting period can most easily be explained by a general painful condition. However, this was not entirely true.

After the arrival of Professor M.P. Nikitin, who discussed in detail with Ivan Petrovich the nervous symptoms that were troubling him, the patient calmed down and soon fell asleep.

Later it became clear that here, in this last observation, Ivan Petrovich was right. The autopsy did show that he had cortical edema.

When the patient woke up two hours later, it became clear to everyone that we had lost him.”.

The famous neuropathologist, professor of the 1st Leningrad Medical Institute M.P. Nikitin consulted Pavlov on February 26 at 1130, as archival documents testify. His conclusion: there are no symptoms of organic damage to the nervous system.

Concerning “a slight illness of a flu-like nature”, about which Speransky wrote, it should be clarified: already in the first bulletin on February 23, it was noted that the symptoms of influenza were immediately joined by the phenomena of bronchitis, which, as follows from the further course of the disease, were increasing more and more. Moreover, diffuse bronchitis was accompanied by bilateral pneumonia. The temperature remained high throughout the short days of illness (six days in total). There were no antibiotics at that time. If we also take into account the age of the patient - 86 years old, and also the fact that throughout the spring of 1935 he was seriously ill with pneumonia, the version of violent death remains unfounded.

Sudden “replacement of all doctors”- also pure fiction: Pavlov’s main treating doctors - outstanding clinical therapists Bok, Chernorutsky and Pletnev - treated the patient in 1935, and they did so in February 1936. The doctors on duty and medical assistants also remained the same as in 1935 ., namely: Savchenko, Trout.

When it comes to Pavlov, especially about such a serious issue as the last days and death of a great scientist and citizen, every word must be verified and strictly justified. You have to answer for every word. One should not, being carried away by fashion, the “spirit of the times,” write about what did not happen. With the light hand of some authors, unfamiliar with the true state of affairs, the legend of violent death becomes the property of society.

The attending physician, closest student and employee of M.K. Petrova left a detailed description of Pavlov’s illnesses in 1935-1936.

Pavlov died on February 27, 1936 at 2 hours 52 minutes, and was buried in Leningrad, at the Volkov cemetery.

Literature

1 Yaroshevsky M.G. Behavioral science: the Russian way. M., 1996. P.367.

2 Correspondence of I.P. Pavlov. M., 1970. P.186-187.

3 History of Pavlov’s disease // SPF ARAN. F.259. Op.4. D.56. L.118.

4 RCKHIDNI. F.17. Op.132. D.175. L.114.

5 I.P. Pavlov in the memoirs of his contemporaries. L., 1967. P.344.

6 Ibid. P.366.

7 See: SPF ARAN. F.259. Op.4. D.59. L.10.

8 Ibid. L.26.

9 I.P. Pavlov in the memoirs of his contemporaries. P.223-224.

10 See: RTSKHIDNI. F.17. Op.132. D.175. L.83.

Is it true that I.P. Pavlov, dying, told his students about his feelings? and got the best answer

Reply from User deleted[guru]
Not quite like that, Natasha. He, as a scientist, a doctor who knew the symptoms of edema of the cerebral cortex, made the correct diagnosis.
The brilliant naturalist was 87 years old when his life was interrupted. Pavlov's death came as a complete surprise to everyone. in October 1935, a few months after contracting the flu with complications, Pavlov wrote: “Damn flu! It has knocked down my confidence in living to be a hundred years old. There is still a tail left from it, although I still do not allow changes in distribution and size my studies."
According to Serafima Vasilievna, the scientist, starting in 1925, after another illness with pneumonia, stopped wearing a winter coat and wore an autumn coat all winter. And, indeed, after this the colds stopped for a long time. In 1935 he caught a cold again and contracted pneumonia.
On February 22, 1936, during another trip to the scientific town of Koltushi, the beloved “capital of conditioned reflexes,” Ivan Petrovich again caught a cold and contracted pneumonia. With modern effective medicines - antibiotics and sulfa drugs, it would probably be possible to cure the scientist. The then means of combating pneumonia, which were not applied immediately after the onset of the disease, turned out to be powerless to save the life of I. P. Pavlov, so dear to all mankind. On February 27 it went out forever.
“Ivan Petrovich himself,” recalled Serafima Vasilievna, “did not expect such a quick end. All these days he joked with his granddaughters and talked cheerfully with those around him.” Pavlov dreamed, and sometimes told his employees, that he would live at least a hundred years, and only in the last years of his life would he leave the laboratory to write memoirs about what he had seen on his long life path.
Shortly before his death, Ivan Petrovich began to worry that he sometimes forgot the right words and said others, and made some movements involuntarily. The insightful mind of the brilliant researcher flashed for the last time: “Excuse me, but this is the bark, this is the bark, this is swelling of the bark!” he said excitedly. The autopsy confirmed the correctness of this, alas, last guess of the scientist about the brain - the presence of edema of the cortex of his own powerful brain. By the way, it also turned out that the vessels of Pavlov’s brain were almost not affected by sclerosis.

“I want to live long,” said Pavlov, “because my laboratories are blossoming unprecedentedly. The Soviet government gave millions for my scientific work, for the construction of laboratories. I want to believe that incentive measures for physiology workers, and I still remain a physiologist, will achieve their goal, and my science will especially flourish on my native soil."

The brilliant naturalist was 87 years old when his life was interrupted. Pavlov's death came as a complete surprise to everyone. Despite his advanced age, he was physically very strong, burned with ebullient energy, worked tirelessly, enthusiastically made plans for further work, and, of course, thought least of all about death... In a letter to I.M. To Maisky (the USSR Ambassador to England) in October 1935, several months after contracting the flu with complications, Pavlov wrote: “Damned flu! It has knocked down my confidence in living to be a hundred years old. There is still a tail left from it, although to this day For now I do not allow changes in the distribution and size of my activities."

Before talking about the sad circumstances of the death of I.P. Pavlov, we note that he generally enjoyed very good health and was rarely ill. True, Ivan Petrovich was somewhat susceptible to colds and suffered from pneumonia several times in his life. Perhaps a certain role in this was played by the fact that Pavlov walked very quickly and at the same time sweated heavily. According to Serafima Vasilievna, the scientist, seeing this as the cause of frequent colds, starting in 1925, after another illness with pneumonia, stopped wearing a winter coat and wore an autumn coat all winter. And, indeed, after this the colds stopped for a long time. In 1935, he caught a cold again and contracted pneumonia. As was his custom, this time Pavlov did not immediately turn to the doctors; the illness had become very dangerous; extreme efforts were required to save the scientist's life. After his illness, he recovered so much that he went to England, led the organization and holding of the XV International Congress of Physiologists, visited his native Ryazan and, after a long separation, saw places dear to his heart, relatives and peers. However, Ivan Petrovich’s health was no longer the same as before: he looked unhealthy, got tired quickly and felt unwell. The illness and quick death of his youngest son Vsevolod (autumn 1935) was a heavy blow for Pavlov. As Serafima Vasilievna writes, after this misfortune, Ivan Petrovich’s legs began to swell. In response to her concern about this, Pavlov only chuckled and said: “It’s you who needs to take care of your bad heart, but my heart is working well. Don’t think, I want to live longer, more and I take care of my health. I am often examined in the laboratory and they find that my body still works like a young man’s.” Meanwhile, the general weakness of his body intensified. On February 22, 1936, during another trip to the scientific town of Koltushi, the beloved “capital of conditioned reflexes,” Ivan Petrovich again caught a cold and contracted pneumonia. Experienced Leningrad doctor M.M. On the very first day of illness, Bok established the presence of inflammation of the large and medium bronchial tracts. Soon, large medical forces of the country were mobilized to treat Pavlov: Leningrad professor M.K. Chernorutsky and the famous Moscow therapist D.D. Pletnev. Until the night of February 25-26, the course of Pavlov’s illness did not cause much concern; there were even some signs of improvement in his health. However, he spent that night restlessly, the patient’s pulse quickened, bilateral pneumonia began to develop, completely engulfing the lower lobes of both lungs, hiccups and extrasystoles appeared. The heart rate rose steadily. Ivan Petrovich was in a semi-conscious state. The famous neuropathologist M.P. was called in for a consultation. Nikitin found no changes in the activity of the nervous system. By the evening of February 26, doctors noted the further spread of pneumonia, a drop in temperature, and a weakening of cardiac activity. At about 10 p.m., Pavlov fell into a state of collapse, from which the doctors brought him out with great difficulty. Repeated collapse at 2 hours 45 minutes. February 27th turned out to be fatal.

With modern effective medicines - antibiotics and sulfa drugs, it would probably be possible to cure the scientist. The means of combating pneumonia at that time, which were not applied immediately after the onset of the disease, turned out to be powerless to save the life of I.P., so dear to all humanity. Pavlova. On February 27 it went out forever. “Ivan Petrovich himself,” recalled Serafima Vasilievna, “did not expect such a quick end. All these days he joked with his granddaughters and talked cheerfully with those around him.” Pavlov dreamed, and sometimes told his employees, that he would live at least a hundred years, and only in the last years of his life would he leave the laboratory to write memoirs about what he saw on his long journey of life. Shortly before his death, Ivan Petrovich began to worry that he sometimes forgot the right words and said others, and made some movements involuntarily. The insightful mind of the brilliant researcher flashed for the last time: “Excuse me, but this is the bark, this is the bark, this is swelling of the bark!” he said excitedly. The autopsy confirmed the correctness of this, alas, last guess of the scientist about the brain - the presence of edema of the cortex of his own powerful brain. By the way, it also turned out that the vessels of Pavlov’s brain were almost not affected by sclerosis. Death of I.P. Pavlova was a great grief not only for the Soviet people, but for all progressive humanity. A great man and a great scientist, who created an entire era in the development of physiological science, has passed away. The coffin with the scientist’s body was exhibited in the large hall of the Uritsky Palace. Not only Leningraders, but also numerous envoys from other cities of the country came to say goodbye to the illustrious son of Russia. His orphaned students and followers stood as a guard of honor at Pavlov’s tomb. Accompanied by thousands of people, the coffin with Pavlov’s body on a gun carriage was delivered to the Volkovskoye cemetery, I.P. Pavlov was buried not far from the grave of the outstanding Russian scientist D.I. Mendeleev. Our party, the Soviet government and people did everything to ensure that the deeds and name of Ivan Petrovich Pavlov lived for centuries. Many scientific institutes and higher educational institutions are named after the great physiologist, monuments have been erected to him, a complete collection of his works and individual works have been published in Russian and foreign languages, valuable scientific materials from his manuscript fund, collections of memoirs of Soviet and foreign scientists about him, a collection of his correspondence with prominent domestic and foreign figures of science and culture, a chronicle of his life and work, a large number of individual brochures and books dedicated to his life and scientific work, new scientific institutions were organized for the further development of I. P. Pavlov, including the largest Moscow Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of the USSR Academy of Sciences, a prize and a gold medal named after him were established, a special periodical publication “Journal of Higher Nervous Activity named after Academician I.P. Pavlov” was created, special all-Union meetings are regularly convened meetings on higher nervous activity.

Ivan Petrovich Pavlov is a Nobel Prize laureate and a scientific authority recognized throughout the world. Being a talented scientist, he made a significant contribution to the development of psychology and physiology. It is he who is considered the founder of such a scientific direction as He made a number of major discoveries in the field of regulation of digestion, and also founded a physiological school in Russia.

Parents

The biography of Ivan Petrovich Pavlov begins in 1849. It was then that the future academician was born in the city of Ryazan. His Dmitrievich came from a peasant family and worked as a priest in one of the small parishes. Independent and truthful, he constantly clashed with his superiors, which is why he lived poorly. Pyotr Dmitrievich loved life, had good health and loved working in the garden.

Varvara Ivanovna, Ivan’s mother, came from a spiritual family. In her younger years she was cheerful, cheerful and healthy. But frequent childbirth (there were 10 children in the family) greatly undermined her well-being. Varvara Ivanovna had no education, but her hard work and natural intelligence turned her into a skilled teacher of her own children.

Childhood

The future academician Ivan Pavlov was the first-born in the family. His childhood years left an indelible mark on his memory. In his mature years, he recalled: “I remember very clearly my first visit to the house. The surprising thing is that I was only a year old, and the nanny carried me in her arms. Another vivid memory speaks for the fact that I remember myself early. When they buried my mother’s brother, they carried me out in their arms to say goodbye to him. This scene still stands before my eyes.”

Ivan grew up cheerful and healthy. He willingly played with his sisters and younger brothers. He also helped his mother (in household chores) and father (when building a house and in the garden). His sister L.P. Andreeva spoke about this period of her life like this: “Ivan always remembered his dad with gratitude. He was able to instill in him the habit of work, accuracy, precision and order in everything. Our mother had lodgers. Being a big worker, she tried to do everything herself. But all the children idolized her and tried to help: bring water, light the stove, chop wood. Little Ivan had to do all this.”

School and trauma

He began studying literacy at the age of 8, but only got to school when he was 11. It was all due to an accident: one day a boy was laying out apples to dry on a platform. Having stumbled, he fell down the stairs and fell straight onto the stone floor. The bruise was quite severe, and Ivan fell ill. The boy turned pale, lost weight, lost his appetite and began to sleep poorly. His parents tried to cure him at home, but nothing helped. Once the abbot of the Trinity Monastery came to visit the Pavlovs. Seeing the sickly boy, he took him home. Increased nutrition, clean air and regular exercises returned Ivan’s strength and health. The guardian turned out to be an intelligent, kind and highly educated person. He led and read a lot. These qualities made a strong impression on the boy. The first book that Academician Pavlov received in his youth from the abbot was the fables of I. A. Krylov. The boy learned it by heart and carried his love for the fabulist throughout his life. This book always lay on the scientist’s desk.

Seminary studies

In 1864, under the influence of his guardian, Ivan entered the theological seminary. There he immediately became the best student, and even helped his comrades as a tutor. Years of study introduced Ivan to the works of such Russian thinkers as D. I. Pisarev, N. A. Dobrolyubov, V. G. Belinsky, A. I. Herzen, N. G. Chernyshevsky, etc. The young man liked their desire to fight for freedom and progressive changes in society. But over time, his interests switched to natural science. And here I. M. Sechenov’s monograph “Reflexes of the Brain” had a huge influence on the formation of Pavlov’s scientific interests. After graduating from the sixth grade of the seminary, the young man realized that he did not want to pursue a spiritual career, and began preparing for the entrance exams to the university.

Studying at the University

In 1870, Pavlov moved to St. Petersburg with the desire to enter the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics. But I managed to get into law school. The reason for this is the limitation of seminarians in terms of choice of professions. Ivan petitioned the rector, and two weeks later he was transferred to the physics and mathematics department. The young man studied very successfully and received the highest scholarship (imperial).

Over time, Ivan became more and more interested in physiology and from the third year he devoted himself completely to this science. He made the final choice under the influence of Professor I. F. Tsion - a talented scientist, a brilliant lecturer and a skilled experimenter. This is how Academician Pavlov himself recalled that period of his biography: “I chose animal physiology as my main specialty, and chemistry as an additional specialty. At that time, Ilya Fadeevich made a huge impression on everyone. We were amazed by his masterfully simple presentation of the most complex physiological issues and his artistic talent in conducting experiments. I will remember this teacher all my life.”

Research activities

The first Pavlovas date back to 1873. Then, under the leadership of F.V. Ovsyannikov, Ivan examined the nerves in the frog’s lungs. In the same year, together with a classmate, he wrote the first one. The leader, naturally, was I. F. Tsion. In this work, students studied the effect of the laryngeal nerves on blood circulation. At the end of 1874, the results were discussed at a meeting of the Society of Natural Scientists. Pavlov regularly attended these meetings and communicated with Tarkhanov, Ovsyannikov and Sechenov.

Soon, students M. M. Afanasyev and I. P. Pavlov began studying the nerves of the pancreas. The University Council awarded this work a gold medal. True, Ivan spent a lot of time on research and did not pass the final exams, losing his scholarship. This forced him to stay at the university for another year. And in 1875 he graduated brilliantly. He was only 26 (a photo of Ivan Petrovich Pavlov at this age, unfortunately, has not survived), and the future seemed very promising.

Physiology of blood circulation

In 1876, the young man got a job as an assistant to Professor K.N. Ustimovich, head of the laboratory at the Medical-Surgical Academy. Over the next two years, Ivan conducted a series of studies on the physiology of blood circulation. Professor S.P. Botkin highly appreciated Pavlov’s works and invited him to his clinic. Formally, Ivan took the position of laboratory assistant, but in reality he became the head of the laboratory. Despite the poor premises, lack of equipment and meager funding, Pavlov achieved serious results in the study of the physiology of digestion and blood circulation. His name became increasingly famous in scientific circles.

First love

In the late seventies, he met Serafima Karchevskaya, a student in the pedagogical department. The young people were united by similarity of views, common interests, loyalty to the ideals of serving society and the struggle for progress. In general, they fell in love with each other. And the surviving photo of Ivan Petrovich Pavlov and Serafima Vasilyevna Karchevskaya shows that they were a very beautiful couple. It was the support of his wife that allowed the young man to achieve such success in the scientific field.

Looking for a new job

Over the 12 years of work at the clinic of S.P. Botkin, the biography of Ivan Petrovich Pavlov was replenished with many scientific events, and he became famous both at home and abroad. Improving the working and living conditions of a talented scientist has become a necessity not only for the sake of his personal interests, but also for the sake of the development of Russian science.

But during the times of Tsarist Russia, achieving any changes for a simple, honest, democratically minded, impractical, shy and unsophisticated person, like Pavlov, turned out to be extremely difficult. In addition, the scientist’s life was complicated by prominent physiologists, with whom Ivan Petrovich, while still young, publicly entered into heated discussions and often emerged victorious. Thus, thanks to the negative review of Professor I.R. Tarkhanov about Pavlov’s work on blood circulation, the latter was not awarded a prize.

Ivan Petrovich could not find a good laboratory to continue his research. In 1887, he wrote a letter to the Minister of Education, in which he asked for a position in the department of some experimental university. Then he sent out several more letters to different institutes and received a refusal from all of them. But soon luck smiled on the scientist.

Nobel Prize

In April 1890, Pavlov was elected professor of pharmacology at two and Tomsk. And in 1891 he was invited to organize the department of physiology at the newly opened University of Experimental Medicine. Pavlov headed it until the end of his days. It was here that he performed several classic works on the physiology of the digestive glands, which were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1904. The entire scientific community remembers the speech that Academician Pavlov made “On the Russian Mind” at the award ceremony. It should be noted that this was the first prize awarded for experiments in the field of medicine.

Despite the famine and devastation during the formation of Soviet power, V.I. Lenin issued a special decree in which Pavlov’s work was highly appreciated, which testified to the exceptionally warm and caring attitude of the Bolsheviks. In the shortest possible time, the most favorable conditions for carrying out scientific work were created for the academician and his staff. Ivan Petrovich's laboratory was reorganized into the Physiological Institute. And for the 80th anniversary of the academician, a scientific institute-town was opened near Leningrad.

Many dreams that academician Ivan Petrovich Pavlov had nurtured for a long time came true. The professor's scientific works were regularly published. Clinics for mental and nervous diseases appeared at his institutes. All scientific institutions headed by him received new equipment. The number of employees has increased tenfold. In addition to budget funds, the scientist received amounts every month to spend at his own discretion.

Ivan Petrovich was excited and touched by such an attentive and warm attitude of the Bolsheviks to his scientific work. After all, under the tsarist regime he was constantly in need of money. And now the academician was even worried about whether he could justify the government’s trust and care. He spoke about this more than once, both in his circle and publicly.

Death

Academician Pavlov died at the age of 87. Nothing foreshadowed the death of the scientist, because Ivan Petrovich had excellent health and rarely fell ill. True, he was susceptible to colds and suffered from pneumonia several times. Pneumonia was the cause of death. On February 27, 1936, the scientist left this world.

The entire Soviet people mourned when Academician Pavlov died (a description of Ivan Petrovich’s death immediately appeared in the newspapers). A great man and a great scientist, who made a huge contribution to the development of physiological science, has passed away. Ivan Petrovich was buried not far from the grave of D.I. Mendeleev.

Perhaps every Russian person is very familiar with the surname Pavlov. The great academician is known both for his life and death.

Many people are familiar with the story of his death - in the last hours of his life, he called on his best students and, using the example of his body, explained the processes occurring in a dying body. However, there is a version that he was poisoned in 1936 for his political views.

Many experts believe that Ivan Petrovich Pavlov was the greatest scientist of St. Petersburg, second only to Lomonosov. He was a graduate of St. Petersburg University. In 1904 he received the Nobel Prize for his work on the physiology of digestion and circulation. It was he who was the first Russian to become a laureate of this award.

His works on the physiology of the nervous system and the theory of “conditioned reflexes” became famous throughout the world. Outwardly, he was stern - a thick white beard, a firm face and rather bold statements, both in politics and in science. For many decades, it was by his appearance that many imagined a true Russian scientist. During his life, he received many invitations to the most prestigious world universities, but he did not want to leave his native country.

Even after the Revolution died down, when life was quite difficult for him, like many representatives of the intelligentsia, he did not agree to leave Russia. His home was repeatedly searched, six gold medals were taken, as was the Nobel Prize, which was kept in a Russian bank. But what offended the scientist most of all was not this, but Bukharin’s impudent statement, in which he called the professors robbers. Pavlov was indignant: “Am I the robber?”

There were also moments when Pavlov almost died of hunger. It was at this time that the great academician was visited by his friend the science fiction writer from England, Herbert Wells. And seeing the life of an academician, he was simply horrified. The corner of the office of the genius who received the Nobel Prize was littered with turnips and potatoes, which he grew with his students so as not to die of hunger.

However, over time the situation changed. Lenin personally gave instructions according to which Pavlov began to receive enhanced academic rations. In addition, normal communal conditions were created for him.

But even after all the hardships, Pavlov did not want to leave his country! Although he had such an opportunity - he was allowed to travel abroad. So he visited England, France, Finland, and the USA.

Pavlov regularly attended church, although official party policy quite clearly hinted that this was unsafe. The academician was not afraid to be baptized on the street, which caused considerable panic among his acquaintances. He himself regularly attended the Church of the Sign. For this he was even subject to ridicule. Narrow-minded people wrote jokes about the genius.

No less well-known than his religiosity were his statements that the average person does not live even half of the time allotted to him.

Pavlov was generally distinguished by excellent health; illnesses seemed to pass him by. He himself just laughed and said that it was enough to stay away from stress and give up smoking to live at least a century. In addition, he claimed that a person could easily live for a century and a half! Alas, he himself died when he was 87 years old. Moreover, his death was quite mysterious.

There are no less rumors about the death of Academician Pavlov than about his life. But reliable information is enough to recreate the last hours of the genius’s life.

He conducted them in the same way as Socrates. However, if he took poison, after which he simply talked with his comrades, then Pavlov decided to benefit society and science with his death. Feeling constantly unwell, he decided to invite his students. After that, he quietly but clearly explained to them what processes were going on in his body. He told them to touch his already cold hands and told them in detail that it was the beginning of rigor mortis. And so his life ended, surrounded by students listening attentively to him.

Just at the moment of this “lecture,” a visitor, whose name is unknown, knocked on the door. But they didn’t let him in, citing the words: “The academician is busy. He is dying".

To say that the death of a middle-aged but very strong academician surprised many is to say nothing. There was a whole wave of rumors that it was a murder. By the way, many associate this with the activities of Yagoda, who even then had a famous “laboratory of poisons” that were used to eliminate political opponents.

The main reason for this is considered to be the public statements of the academician, which he did not want to hide - directed against the power of the Soviets. He was one of the very few citizens in the country, one of those who were not afraid to openly speak out in defense of people who had been subjected to unjust repression. There are also rumors that supporters of Zinoviev, who rules in Petrograd, have openly threatened the scientist more than once.

But the academician did not leave his beloved city even after his death. Many old-timers said that they had to meet the ghost of the academician after his death. He wandered near the Church of the Sign until its destruction. The book “Ghosts of the Northern Capital” by the writer Sindalovsky tells a case when Pavlov’s ghost was noticed in the church itself. The witness saw an exact double of the academician descending from the choir, holding a large church book in his hands. He surprisingly resembled Pavlov - the same physique, face and even his beard looked exactly the same. There was only one difference - Pavlov limped after breaking his leg. The double walked smoothly and without limp.

It was after this incident that many other precedents were noticed when the ghost of Academician Pavlov was seen in these places.