Nathan Zuntz

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Nathan Zuntz (1847-1920) was a German physiologist who was born in Bonn. He studied medicine at the University of Bonn, where he was an assistant to Eduard Friedrich Wilhelm Pflüger. From 1881 until 1918 he was a professor at Landwirtschaftliche Hochschule (Royal Agricultural College) in Berlin.

Zuntz was involved in a many facets of physiological research, including metabolism, respiration and nutrition. However he is best known for his work in high-altitude physiology. He did extensive research regarding the physiological changes in animals and humans in extreme conditions, especially high-altitudes. Many of his field studies were done at Capanna Regina Margherita, a research station at the apex of Monte Rosa, Italy. Also with his assistant Hermann von Schrötter (1870-1928), he made high-altitude balloon expeditions. He published several articles on high-altitude medicine, and his best known book is Höhenklima und Bergwanderungen (High Altitude Climate and Mountaineering). In 1911 he opened the first laboratory dedicated to sports medicine in Germany.

In 1885 with August Julius Geppert (1856-1937) he created the Zuntz-Geppert respiratory apparatus, and for field studies Zuntz invented a portable Gasuhr (dry gas measuring device). In 1889 he constructed an early treadmill (Laudband) and in 1914 added an X-ray apparatus to it in order to observe cardiac changes during exercise. In 1910 Zuntz made a scientific expedition to Pico de Teide in the Canary Islands with physiologists Hermann von Schrötter, Arnold Dürig (1872-1961) and Joseph Barcroft (1872-1947).