Janos Fabry

* Banská Bystrica, 1698 – † Vasilkovo, Ukraine, 1750 / physician ; ; He began his school studies in his hometown, then studied humanities at the University of Jena between 1719 and 1723. From 1723 he studied theology at the University of Halle and then at the University of Kiel, graduating in 1729. He obtained his doctorate in philosophy in 1730 and his doctorate in theology in 1731. However, his studies did not end there, as he also obtained a doctorate in medicine at the University of Halle. The title of his dissertation on diamonds, published in 1737, was De adamante. Although it is primarily a mineralogical work, it does not lack medical aspects. The work was highly appreciated by his teachers, and one of the most prominent doctors of the time, Friedrich Hoffmann (1660–1742), also praised it. He also wrote him a lengthy letter, which was included in the dissertation. Some biographical information is also shed light on this. Among other things, we learn that Fábry made a long journey to several Western European countries during his studies, and even reached St. Petersburg. Five years after his inauguration as a doctor of medicine, in 1742, his journey led him to Russia again, and Hoffmann presumably played a role in this, since he was asked to recommend six excellently trained doctors for the Russian army. One of the recommended persons was János Fábry. In December 1742, he was already in Kiev as the director of epidemic protection in the southern, endangered border region. Since only the 18th century had been in Russia, Quarantine was used to prevent the spread of epidemics from the 1720s onwards, and even in the 1740s they did not have sufficient experience with the plague quarantine. Fábry could therefore rightly be called the “quarantine doctor”, since his most important activity for years was to control and prevent the plague and other epidemics. He is considered the founder of the first “central plague institute” in Russia. Despite this, there were still many opponents of quarantine in Russia later on. In light of this, the significance of János Fábry’s activities should be highlighted.