Dr Avram Farkic (1866-1925), the founder and the owner of the first physical therapy institute in Serbia

Abstract

Methods of physical medicine, many of which have been empirically applied since the ancient times, have become particularly popular in 19th century Europe. The first examples of the works of Serbian doctors in this area originate from the same period. In 1838 and 1839, Dr. Konstantin Peicic wrote about Prissnitz?s method of hydrotherapy. In 1842, Dr. Dimitrije Radulovic published in Latin his doctoral dissertation concerning medical gymnastics. In the middle of the 19th century, in the Principality of Serbia, hydrotherapy treatments (by Dr. Andrija Ivanovic, 1850) and electrotherapy (by Dr. Jovan Valenta, 1857) w?re applied. Among the pioneers of physical medicine in Serbia, Dr Avram Farkic is a very important figure. In 1896, Farkic founded the first Serbian institute for physiotherapy in Belgrade, and, two years later, the First Institute for Orthopedics, Swedish Gymnastics and Massage. These institutions were merged in 1899. After the death of Dr. Farkic in 1925, the Institute worked under his name until the German bombing of Belgrade on April 6, 1941. The diversity and continuous introduction of modern therapeutic procedures were the main characteristics of the Institute during its 45-year-long existence. Dr. Farkic was also the initiator of the establishment of the Therapy Joint Stock Company, which founded the first institute for physical medicine in Vrnjacka Banja, the Therapy Institute for Treatment by Water and Electricity, in 1911. Until the First World War, it was the most modern spa sanatorium in Serbia. During spa seasons of 1911, 1912, 1913, and 1924, Dr. Farkic himself was the manager and the main physician of the Therapy Institute.