[Adalbert Friedrich Markus (1753-1816): remarkable organizer of health service, philosopher, sponsor, and social figure].
Adalbert Friedrich Markus (1753-1816) was one of the most eminent doctors of his time. His name was given not accidentally to one of the largest squares, a street and a bridge across the river Regnitz in Bamberg, the town where he worked more than 40 years. Markus was well-known among the population as an excellent doctor, he also was a personal doctor of Kurfürst bishop Franz Ludwig von Erthal. Markus was the first principal to found a hospital affordable to everyone, where medical personnel was taught and many professors worked. He was also founder and principal of the medico-surgical school, whose program of studies was equal to those of an university. On Markus' initiative a birthhouse was founded, as well as a sheltered housing complex for the elderly and a school, as well as a social system for poor citizens. In January 1803 Markus became the head of the health department of the principality of Frankonia. On his initiative a free smallpocks vaccination for all new born was carried out. Markus brought up an annual report of medical science and numerous magazines on therapy. In his scientifical articles in different magazines he wrote about diseases of respiratory tract, skin, liver, as well as typhus and feaver. In many of his published works he appears to be a philosopher supporting a naturalistic philosophy and disagreeing with its idealistic attitude at the same time. He was the head of a literature society called "Harmony", and he supported the construction of the first theatre where E. T. A Hoffmann worked who was a friend of Markus. A. F. Markus' death 1816 put his friends and supporters into a deep grief. According to the newspapers of that time, the whole town followed the funeral procession and all the churches rang their bells goodbye. The name of A. F. Markus has an important place among the extraordinary German physicians of the late 18th and early 19th century.