[The neurologic department of the Neurologic Clinic--establishment of the Heidelberg Chair for Neurology 1881-1969].

During the 20th century clinical neurology developed to a fully established discipline being descended from Psychiatry and Internal Medicine. In this paper the development of clinical neurology at the University of Heidelberg from a Nervenabteilung at the clinic for internal medicine to a chair with separate clinic of neurology is outlined as an example for the controversy which accompanied the institutionalization of the discipline in Germany. Pointing out motives and arguments of the persons involved in this process the specific circumstances of the development of neurology in Germany are stated more precisely.