Description

A collection from his possession, partly written and drawn by him. Included are: 2 original pencil drawings depicting the interior of the Institute for Therapeutic Gymnastics (orthopedic treatment facility) founded in 1852, 1 handwritten protocol of the above-mentioned institute from 1858–1860 with the names of the patients, 1 manuscript by Melicher: Handbook of Orthopedics and Therapeutic Gymnastics, 1 handwritten annual report of the “II. Surgical Department of the Imperial and Royal General Hospital” regarding patients treated in 1844, 6 drawings (34.5 x 21.5 cm on three sheets of paper) illustrating body postures (including deformation caused by wearing a corset), 22 drawings approximately 28 x 22 cm (some with two on one sheet) showing orthopedic depictions, machines invented by Melicher, and movement studies, 1 manuscript by Melicher titled Resistance Movements with Steel Springs for Scoliosis of Grade III (Scoliosis Dextra), containing 23 pencil drawings in the text, study sketches, and notes on ancient surgical instruments, e.g. from the Louvre Paris (Egyptian Department 1857) and the Jesuit College in Rome (a total of 11 sheets), and 19 drawings by “P. J. Giorgio” depicting further surgical instruments, likely commissioned by Melicher, 10 invitations to plenary meetings of the Doctor’s Collegium, mostly announcing lectures by Dr. Melicher, 2 annual reports of the Institute for Therapeutic Gymnastics by Melicher (for 1855 and the 6th Annual Report for 1858 and 1859), one of which is bound, 1 guide to curative diet, 5 drawings, faintly signed, depicting deformed limbs.

Ludwig Joseph Melicher (1816–1871)
“Doctor of Medicine and Surgery, Ophthalmology Operator, Obstetrician and Dentist Master, Director of the First Institute for Therapeutic Gymnastics, the Medical-Surgical and Gymnastic-Orthopedic Treatment Facility, as well as the Healing and Educational Institution for Mentally Ill and Feeble-Minded Juvenile Persons, Emeritus Imperial and Royal Hospital Surgeon and Cholera-Section Surgeon, Former Chief Physician in the Imperial and Royal Vienna I. Garrison Hospital, Practical Physician, Surgeon, and Obstetrician in Vienna, Full Member of the Doctor’s Collegium of the Medical Faculty, the Imperial and Royal Society of Physicians, the Imperial and Royal Agricultural Society, the Imperial and Royal Zoological-Botanical Society, and the Antiquities Society of Vienna, etc. etc.”