Article
Friedrich Joseph Haas : the holy doctor of Moscow
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Published: | September 22, 2004 |
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Outline
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Objective
Joseph Haas was born in Bad Münstereifel in 1780 as the son of a pharmacist. He studied medicine in Cologne and Göttingen where he made his thesis in 1805. Later he learnt ophthalmology in Vienna. Prince Repnin invited him to Moscow, where he worked as an ophthalmologist, and later managed Paul's hospital and then the police hospital. From 1809-1810 he travelled through the Caucasus to explore mineral springs. In 1827 he became director of Moscow's prison administration. He enforced numerous reliefs for the prisoners, so for instance the abolition of the "prut" for the exiles in Siberia to whom he devoted his life. Haas died in 1853 in Moscow.
Methods
The traces that Dr. Haas has left in Moscow and Bad Münstereifel were visited. The literature regarding Dr. Haas's life was analyzed.
Results
Dr. Haas is still called the "holy doctor" in Moscow. There still exists the "Haasovka", his grave at Vvedensky cemetary, the German school was named after him and Alexandrovna mineral water is still sold. In Bad Münstereifel there is a small exhibition dedicated to Dr. Haas's life and his house. Dr. Haas's life has also been reflected in literature (Lew Kopelew, Dostojewski).
Conclusions
Haas has reached a lot of good things so that even today he is still famous and highly esteemed in Bad Münstereifel and Moscow.