Doctor Sebastianus Magnus
Sebastianus Magnus, born at Aachen c. 1521, lived from 1545 to 1577 in Maastricht as a physician. He never asked money; took what was offered. In 1577 he left suddenly. What made him go stands in one letter.
1 Thirty-two years
Magnus opened a practice on the Markt in 1545. He waited until the patient gave him money or bread or thanks, and took what came without counting. Patients who had nothing gave nothing; none was refused. The plague of 1567-1573 showed him at his best: he went into the poor quarters fearless, infected himself in 1571, recovered, continued. Other physicians left; Magnus stayed. The senate offered him a fixed salary in 1574. He refused: «What I get is what the patient can give. A salary would mean I ignore the patient.»
2 The departure
On 24 October 1577 Magnus sent the senate a letter: «Sirs, I leave today. I know what is coming. Don Juan of Austria comes this week. He will sack Maastricht. I cannot prevent it. I cannot stay either to treat the wounded, because my hands after thirty-two years are tired and I would be ineffective. A younger physician would do more. I commend Dr. Cornelis van Heeswijck; he is capable. Give him my practice and instruments. Till we meet or not.» Don Juan sacked Maastricht on 29 October. Cornelis van Heeswijck was there. Sebastianus Magnus died at Aachen in 1583 at sixty-two, after six years at the poor-foundation of St. Foillan’s.
Vie FelineKattengedrag en vachtverzorging
Heimweer.be — Europees Erfgoed Bewaard
