Dr. Moshe Markuzi.
Researcher
Dr. Moshe Marcusi was born in Germany in 1745. He studied medicine at the Heidelberg University. When he graduated and
being influenced by the "Askala" movement ideology, he decided
that after a short period of experimental work in Germany he will
go to Poland, to live in the periphery,among the poor Jewish people
So in 1774 he left for Poland, lived and practisised in the little town
Kapoust. He was appointed physician to the Shtetl Turisk by the
"Crown" the treasury of Poland.
He soon was the subject of admiration by the poor Jewish
Population in Turisk. To them he dedicated most of his time, some
times, with no payment. There he become avare of the very hard
health state of the poor Jewish population. He initiated a research,
investigated several of the diseases widespread among them.
He became famous and admired in all the region as the "Angel."
His research and experience he registered in Yiddish in his diary.
After several years of work, the Polish magnat and friend Michael
Bobrovsky, convinced him, and supported economicly to publish
his findings in a book. The book was published in the Yiddish
language, the title: "Oser Israel" to Jews in Poland. In the preface
he explains: This book I am dedicating to "Keal Israel" the Jewish
masses, so that they teach and learn and help themselves since
they live in remote pheripherial places, where doctors cannot be
found, in order, with help of this book, to prevent people from getting ill of common deseases.
Recommendations to use the book werepublished by rebe Mordhay
of Turisk and rabi Mordhay Cahane of Kovel.
in order to convince orthodox Jews to use it. In his book
Dr. Moshe Markusi guides the user in the most basic elementary
domestic hygienic medicine. Dr. Markusy with his daring approach
against folly believes spread among the Jews in the peripherial
provinces in east Europe. Dr. Moshe Markusi lived in Turisk among
the Jewish people, for many years. He was involved in their every
day life,around all those years. He tried to help them solve prolems
and overcome troubles.He was a pioneer to use the spokenYiddish
language to write a medicine book.This isconsidered theconnecting
thread between the Yiddish language of the 18th century and the
modern Yiddish language of the 20th century.
"Oser Israel" was the first medicine book published in Yiddish and
remains the only one until today!
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