JOHANN NEEFE (1499–1574)
Origin and Education
Johann Neefe was born on 29 August 1499 in Chemnitz in Saxony. He studied at the universities of Leipzig and Bologna, where one of his fellow students was the famous physician and natural scientist Georg Agricola.
He received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1525 at the University of Ferrara.
Town Physician in Jáchymov
After completing his studies Neefe came to Jáchymov, where he succeeded Magna Hundt as town physician. He remained in the rapidly developing mining town for about ten years.
His notes contain a detailed description of the privileges and duties of the municipal physician. The town doctor received an annual salary of one hundred guilders, seven cartloads of firewood and a free residence. Neefe himself wrote that he lived there “happily and well, thanks be to God”.
He summarized the duties of the town physician in six points, including the obligation to care for all patients without distinction between rich and poor, to visit the poor in the hospital and to help even those who were unable to pay.
Medical Views
Neefe defended the use of medicines as gifts provided by God and tried to help his patients not only physically but also psychologically.
He also supported the right of people to seek help from medical science even when its methods conflicted with certain church opinions. Some theologians of the time, such as Nikolaus Selneccer, strongly criticized physicians who relied on natural science.
Later Career
After leaving Jáchymov Neefe became court physician to the Saxon duke and elector Moritz of Saxony and later also to the elector August of Saxony.
Because of his reputation he was invited to Vienna, where he treated Emperor Ferdinand I, despite his Lutheran confession.
Works
His works include an autobiography, a treatise on plague and records of conversations at the court of Emperor Ferdinand I.
Death
Johann Neefe died on 7 July 1574 in Dresden.
