Antall József szerk.: Orvostörténeti közlemények 97-99. (Budapest, 1982)

KISEBB KÖZLEMÉNYEK - ELŐADÁSOK - Csillag István: Gruby Dávid (angol nyelven)

DOCTOR GRUBY'S CONSULTATIONS He gave up scientific work and devoted all this time to healing. The practice he gained was unique. The whole Faubourg St. Germain, the Faubourg St. Honoré, old and new nobility, writers, artists, scientists, diplomats, financial men and politicians, the Jewish and Catholic worlds alike rushed to him with devoted humility.

34 "They beseeched his advice,

—Napoleon IIP s court opened before him."

3a Many, mainly certain collègues, regarded him as a charlatan and called him "derviche guérisseur". Miksa Nordau

36 in his article in Neue Freie Presse of 4 December 1898 gave an interesting appreciation of him and his healing art. His witty pun compared Gruby the "Heildervisch" with the howling dervishes (Heuldervisch). "So war auch Gruby im Leben und bis in den Tod der typische Heildervisch gewesen, der echte Nachkomme jener Heilpriester, die sich zwar zu einem besonderen Stande der Krankenpfleger oder richtiger Besprecher differenzierten, jedoch den Zusammenhang mit der allgeimeinen Priesterschaft noch nicht aufgaben, aus dem sie hervorgingen." His treatments were legendary, he broke away from long receipts and medicinal treatment. He cured by changing the patient's way of life, by diet, and by hypnotic suggestion if necessary. He used little medicine, only to support psychic effect. With his very keen sense of observation he watched his patients' lifestyle, their customs, till he knew them as from inside, then he ordered radical changes which led to wonderful results.

37 From among his methods we mention as curiosity his treatment of Heine: he prescribed no medicament but ordered him to study out mirror-making. So much was done and Heine's nervous diseases gradually improved. He was cured not by the "mirrors" but by the inhalation of mercury vapours used for silvering.

38 He treated Chopin's insomnia by making him travel to Versailles in the early mornings. Bored in the empty wobbling train he would soon fall asleep. Dumas, who closed himself up to write day and night and consequently had constant digestive troubles, was ordered to take a walk and periodically have an apple, fixing the places for apple eating: Arc de Triomphe, Quai d'Orsay, Madeleine.

39 The therapy had a very favourable effect on the great writer's condition. Legends were spread about Gruby and his wonderful coach. He always went by coach, and it was really unique of its kind. The coach had seats, toilette, laboratory and library inside, there was smoking window on the roof through which the light could fall perpendicularly upon the book he was reading on the way. He accepted invitations to England only if his coach was transferred there, too. During the French-German war he established at his own costs a hospital of forty beds in his house where he gratis treated the wounded. His horrible income, about 400 000 francs a year was nearly entirely used for charitable purposes. He supported twenty or so charitable associations and poor students. He aided any Hungarians who turned to him. Once a week he kept free consultation for the poor.

40 34 S. no. 29 35 S. no. 10 36 Nordau, M.: David Gruby. Neue Freie Presse, 4 Dec. 1898. 37 S no. 10 38 S. no. 11 39 Reitzer, Gyula: Dr. Gruby Dávidról. (On doctor David Gruby.) IMIT Évkönyv. 1909, 148—166 40 S. no. 11