250th anniversary of death of Dr.Johannes Andreas Eisenbarth - Germany / Federal Republic of Germany 1977 - 50 Pfennig

On November 11, 1727 died in Hannoversch Münden the surgeon Johann Andreas Eisenbarth, born on March 23, 1663 in Oberviechtach. Through his dazzling, adventurous life Eisenbarth became the most popular and well-known German surgeon. He is known to the general public through the student ridicule: "I am Doctor Eisenbarth ...". To his posterity, he was initially considered a satirical mythical figure, which was brought back to reality only in the 19th century, when a tombstone with his name and his honors came to light in the cemetery in Hannoversch Münden. Physicians and medical historians did not initially concern themselves with this man, to whom the mocking poem attached such a bad reputation. It was only in our century that tentative attempts to learn more about the life and work of Eisenbarth began. The research was really intensive and world-wide only after the founding of the Doktor-Eisenbarth-Arbeitskreis International (seat Oberviechtach), after practically all scientists, among them many university teachers all over the world, had come together in this working group. Eisenbarth comes from an old family of surgeons. Until the age of ten, he attended school in Oberviechtach and then went to his brother-in-law Alexander Biller, a surgeon, ophthalmologist, Bruch- and Steinschneider apprentices. After 10 years of apprenticeship he passed his apprenticeship exam and became self-employed in 1685. In order to practice his profession, he needed in every country in which he wished to work a privilege of the sovereign, which was usually given after a thorough theoretical examination by an academic medical committee and after further verification of his practical skills. Eisenbarth received a total of eleven such privileges and numerous honorable awards from princes and kings. Professional and knowledgeable witnesses praise his amazing speed in carrying out his operations. That was a tremendous advantage in the absence of today's general anesthesia. Eisenbarth also took care of his patients after the interventions, until they were out of danger. Well-done operations were confirmed to him in huge numbers officially.