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Jan Špott (1813-1888) laid the foundations of our physiatry

Publication at Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen |
2023

Abstract

Jan Spott was born on January 3, 1813. As a grammar school student, young Špott decided to study natural history.

In November 1837, he graduated as a doctor of medicine, and three years later he also obtained a qualification in surgery. Together with dr.

Amerling founded the Budeč educational facility in 1842, which also included a hospital in the form of a naturopathy institute. Jan Spott together with his brother Karl, also a doctor, set up their own institute in 1845, the first of its kind in Prague.

For treatment, wraps, a stay in warm sand and in the sun were used, Spott included elements from Ling's Swedish gymnastics and knowledge of orthopedics, which he brought from his study stay in Switzerland. He was one of the founding members of the Spolek českých lékařú (Association of Czech Physicians), diligently contributing to the Časopis lékařů českých (Journal of Czech Physicians).

As a 70-year-old private docent, he joined an independent Czech medical faculty with his lectures on physiatry and balneology. He died on April 8, 1888.

He is considered one of the founders of our physiatry and therapeutic physical education. 200 years have passed since his birth this year.