Andreas Ignaz Wawruch


[file:Andreas Ignaz Wawruch. Lithograph by F. Wolf after himself. Wellcome V0006180.jpg|thumb|Andreas Ignaz Wawruch; Lithograph by F. Wolf]
Andreas Ignaz Wawruch was an Austrian physician and university professor, particularly noted for his association with, and medical attendance on, Ludwig van Beethoven.

Early life

Andreas Ignaz Wawruch was the son of Ignaz Wawruch, a peasant farmer, and Anna Wawruch,. He was given violin and singing lessons by his uncle, Kaspar Wawruch, and in 1786 was admitted to the Archbishop's Chapel at Kroměříž as a boy soprano.

Studies

After earlier studies in theology, classical literature, and music, Wawruch studied medicine at the University of Prague. At the end of 1810, he became an assistant physician at the Vienna University Hospital and also a teaching assistant in pathology and pharmacology. In 1812, he received his doctorate in medicine from the University of Vienna with his dissertation "Tentamen inaugurale philologico-medicum sistens antiquitates typhi contagiosi" Shortly thereafter, he completed his habilitation there.
He married Josepha Hildenbrand on 22 October 1815 in Vienna. Ignaz Schuppanzigh attested that Josephina was a talented fortepianist; Gerhard von Breuning stated that Wawruch was a gifted cellist. They had six children.

Career

In 1812, Wawruch accepted a position as professor of medicine at the University of Prague. In 1819, he accepted another position as professor of medicine at the University of Vienna and the Medical Clinic for Surgeons. In Vienna, he became one of Ludwig van Beethoven's physicians. He was considered a good cellist and was a great admirer of the composer; Beethoven sent a score of Handel's Messiah to Wawruch as a New Year’s gift. Wawruch attended Beethoven medically until his death in 1827. In 1832, he became co-editor of the Medical Yearbooks series of the Imperial and Royal Austrian State. He was also a member of the Imperial and Royal Society of Physicians in Vienna.

Works

  • De priscorum Graeciae ac Latii medicorum studio restaurando, 1808.
  • Tentamen inaugurale philologico-medicum sistens antiquitates typhi contagiosi, Brünn 1812.
  • Observationes clinicae Taeniam concernentes, Beck, Wien 1833.
  • Disquisitio medica cholerae cujus mentio in sacris bibliis occurrit, Beck, Wien 1833.
  • Praktische Monographie der Bandwurmkrankheit durch 206 Krankheitsfälle erläutert, Gerold, Wien 1844