In 1868 the German Leopold Ordenstein (1835—1902) published in Paris a doctoral thesis in French language under the patronage of Jean-Martin Charcot (1825—1893). For the first time, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease were clearly recognized as different clinical entities, based on clinical and pathological data. Ordenstein's work represents today a fundamental and often credited, yet still widely unknown, contribution to the history of these two diseases. The present paper delivers a synopsis of this key document. In addition, the life and work of Leopold Ordenstein will be reviewed. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13: 1195—1199. http://msj.sagepub.com
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