BEETHOVEN
December 16, 1770 - March 26, 1827
Gary D. Evans  1996-1997 v091797a

PHYSICIANS

Gerhard von Vering [1755-1823] - Dermatologist, otologist, psychiatrist. Treated B. 1801 for progressive hearing loss and abd. sxs. Vering's daughter, Julie, married Stephan von Breuning and took piano lessons from Johann Schenk. (B. attracted to her also and occassionally played duets with her [per Man of His Word, p.27]). His son was Dr. Joseph Ritter Edler von Vering [1793-1826]. As his treatments were without success, B. turned to Dr. Schmidt. [Nwsltr v7#3p87 Win92] [Wegeler/Ries]

Johann Adam Schmidt [1759-1809] - Professor of anatomy, music lover (amateur Violinist). Treated B 1802 & 1807. B. dedicated op38: piano trio arrangement of his op20:septet to him [Wegeler/Ries p177] [Nwsltr v7#3p87 Win92]

Andreas Bertolini [1784-1861] - friend and medical advisor 1806-1816. 1814 organized evening honoring Malfatti.

Giovanni (Johann) Malfatti [1775-1859] - treated from 1808-9 and again during mortal illness in 1827

Jacob Staudenheim [1764-1830] - treated from 1812-1822

Anton Braunhofer [1773-1846] - Prof. at U. of Vienna. Follower of Dr. Samuel Hannemann's homeopathic treatments. Treated B. 1825 & again during final illness, 1827. [Nwsltr v7#3p87 Win92]

Andreas Wawruch [1772 or 1773-1842] - treated from 1826-1827 during mortal illness

Peter Frank [1745-1821] - Came to Vienna 1795 & 2nd time Vienna 1808. Founder pub. Health field. Published Epistola Invitatoria in 1776 and other writings on Brownianism. [Wegeler/Ries p177] [Nwsltr v7#3p87 Win92]

Dr. Johann Nepomuk Hunczowski [1752-1798] - Mozart's physician. ? Treated B ? [Nwsltr v7#3p87 Win92]

Dr. Eduard Vincenz Guldener von Lobes [1763-1827] - Famous Rheumatologist. ? Treated B. ? [Nwsltr v7#3p87 Win92]

MEDICAL HISTORY

1797 Episodes of severe colic [Wegeler/Ries p38]

1798 Constant diarrhea. Dr. Frank rx'ed "Strengthening medicine & almond oil aud.canal installation w/ no effect. [Wegeler/Ries p28].

1799 Cold baths were prescribed but no change. Autumn "customary lukewarm baths" rx'ed in Danube coincident with decreased diarrhea [Wegeler/Ries p28]

1799-1800 [Winter] "I was truly miserable, I had really dreadful attacks of colic and deteriorated to my previous self"

1800 [May] Went to Vering "…thinking that my condition might also require the attention of a surgeon" [Wegeler/Ries p28] Rx: Lukewarm baths in the Danube with a "flask of strengthening stuff"

1800 [June] "pills for the stomach" ordered by Vering . GI sxs decreased, no change in hearing w/ ] infusions for ear: "Buzzing and ringing day and night" [Wegeler/Ries p28-9]

1802 Schmidt treated Beethoven at time Heiligenstadt testament written.

ANALYSIS OF BEETHOVEN'S HAIR - 2000: We may now understand Beethoven's illness.