WBREW «CHOLERA MORBUS» – DWUKROTNY TESTAMENT DOKTORA ADOLFA STERNA (1834 і 1861) DUCHOWYM I MATERIALNYM PODSUMOWANIEM ŻYCIA

Abstract

Testaments hold an important place among historical sources. They were prepared by representatives of various social groups, ranging from wealthy people to beggars. There are the testaments of Częstochowa doctors among them, including the will of doctor Adolf Stern (Sztern). The nineteenth century, commonly known as the "age of iron and steam" brought, mainly to European residents, clear progress in many areas of life. The fruits of technical knowledge spread, with railway development first. The last white spots on world maps have disappeared. There has been a significant development of medical knowledge. However, not all "bane of previous eras" were finally and definitively said goodbye to. Among them was "cholera morbus" which haunted Polish lands. This text is intended to provide answers to the following research questions: what was the professional and family reality of a doctor in a small town, such as Częstochowa in the middle of the nineteenth century? What was the economic polarization of the Jewish community of that time like? And the third sphere is a picture of the current fight against this disease and also showing the way of doctors in getting to know its essence. Dr. Adolf Stern wrote the first act of his last will on July 13, 1834. In 1861 he made his second testament. An analysis of the two wills of a doctor from Częstochowa, who had to face the "morbus" cholera, gives a picture of the life of representatives of the Jewish community at the threshold of industrial development of Częstochowa. We have a rare opportunity to compare the material and social position of a professionally active person. We find in it the image of the author's immediate and distant family, we learn about his attitude to the Moses religion and finally the description of his significant material position.