Physiology and behavioral Science in Gaetano Martino: Reflections on a physiologist’s endeavor to discover the mind

This article aims to underline the organic way of working of an eclectic scientist and politician by the name of Gaetano Martino and his studies on nutrition, experimental reflex epilepsy and conditioned reflexes. The studies on conditioned reflexes were analyzing by Martino because he did not fully agree with Pavlov’s ideas regarding the modifications of the reflex arc subsequent to the formation of a conditioned reflex. Furthermore, thanks to his studies on conditioned reflexes, psychology and psychiatry have found, and continue to find, important developments towards the understanding of man's personality. The Messines physiologist, by virtue of his indisputable dedication and passion for research, managed to open a prolific dialogue between two apparently distinct and distant disciplines, actively moving towards an interdisciplinary approach, thus anticipating a basic principle of present-day science.