Updated M/W/F
 
Latest Profile
» William and Abe Feinbloom
Random Profile
» Surprise Me!
Archive Profile
» Anna Smashnova
 
Categories
  • Actors
  • Actresses
  • Artists
  • Athletes and Coaches
  • Businesspeople
  • Comedians
  • Directors
  • Fictional Characters
  • Historical Figures
  • Media
  • Musicians and Singers
  • Politicians
  • Religious Figures
  • Scientists
  • Sociopaths
  • Writers
  • [Uncategorized]


  •  
    List by Name
    List by Score
    List by Date
     
    About the Jew Score
    Suggestion Box
    FAQ
    Oskar Minkowski

    Jew Score:
    10

    I4

    O2

    K4
    January 13, 1858 – July 18, 1931

    One of the most important medical discoveries of all time happened because Oskar Minkowski performed surgery on a dog. On a bet. Trust us, it gets weirder.

    First, Minkowski himself: a Lithuanian Jew who converted to Christianity later in his life. Then, the bet: Minkowski and a colleague argued if someone can survive without their pancreas. You know, nothing crazy. Just your usual, everyday discussion between men of science.

    So, Minkowski removed his dog's pancreas to win the bet. Actually, we're not sure about the word "his". Maybe he picked up a stray dog off the street? Either way, it's somewhat disturbing.

    Now, for the punchline: after the dog survived surgery, Minkowski noticed that his urine tasted sweet. No, Minkowski didn't taste the urine himself! (As far as we know?) He saw that flies were strangely attracted to it. This led Minkowski to correctly link the pancreas to blood sugar, which, down the line, led to the discovery of insulin.

    We bet he tasted the urine himself...

    Verdict: Barely a Jew.

    June 2, 2021

    See Also

    Ernst Chain

    Arthur Eichengrun

    Jerome Horwitz

    Benjamin Rubin

    Albert Sabin
    © Jew or Not Jew, 2006-2024.