Friedrich von Hessing (1838-1918) appears to have been self-taught as a non-surgical orthopedist after working for some years as a carpenter. In 1868, he opened a spa near Augsburg in Bavaria, which was expanded in 1886. Subsequently, he went on to develop balneological facilities. He became famous for the invention of various devices, such as a pelvic corset for diseases of the spinal column, and leg splints. He advocated conservative treatment of skeletal tuberculosis, and ambulatory treatment of fractures employing plaster casts. He was elevated to Bavarian nobility in 1913.
- Medal
Bronze. Germany 1908. Signed. Lifetime. On the occasion of his seventieth birthday.
- Size
65 mm
- Artist
Karl Xaver Goetz (1875-1950), German medallist
- Obverse
Clothed bust to left, wearing pince-nez; in field at right, K ∙ GOETZ ∙ Sc / MÜNCHEN incused.
- Reverse
Hessing standing facing behind a draped bed, and adjusting a splint on the left leg of a nude boy who stits to right, leaning back on his hands, his right leg hanging over the side of the bed, foot extending into exergue, in which, 70 ∙ GEBURTSTAG ∙ 1908 incused; in background at right, corner of a work bench with a vise, and, just above bed, K. GOETZ incused in minute letters; in field at upper left, HOFRAT ∙ / ∙ FRIEDRICH / HESSING in three parallel lines.
- Edge
C. PŒLLATH incused Carl Pöllath - die-sinking establishment at Schrobenhausen, Bavaria
- Ref
Freeman 240; Storer 1533; Nilsson 284
