[Glucagon, its discovery and description and the work of Max Bürger].

After intravenous injection of technical insulin (lower degree of purity) already in 1923 Murlin observed transient initial increases of blood sugar. He suggested that this would be caused by another hormone and he gave him the name of glucagon. Nearly from 1928 Bürger dealt with the synergistic effect of muscle work and intravenous application of insulin on the blood sugar. Here he also established the blood sugar increasing principle glucagon. Subsequently by animal experimental and clinical examinations he essentially contributed to the characterization of the substance itself and its mode of action. He always acknowledged the priority of Murlin. The statement of the A-cells of the pancreas as the place of the synthesis of glucagon, the clarification of its structure and its pure preparation caused the fact that nowadays comprehensive knowledge about the second pancreatic hormone is available.