30. 4. 2025 | From Karlovy Vary, Health and spa, History
DAVID BECHER – HIPPOCRATES OF KARLOVY VARY
David Josef Becher was born in the house U Dvou řetězů (At the Two Chains) near the Hot Spring in Karlovy Vary on 19 February 1725. Since early childhood, he was thus able to observe the unique world around the healing springs where not only high nobility, but also distinguished physicians, artists, clergy, and other prominents gathered. For centuries, many Bechers lived in Karlovy Vary and they belonged among the town's notables. Nevertheless, David Becher overshadowed them all by his significance. He made his mark as a spa physician, as well as an eminent chemist, balneologist, and the founder of modern spa treatment applied to this day.
He was able to determine the amount of mineral substances in the Karlovy Vary springs with an accuracy that continues to amaze us even today. He managed to produce salt from the Hot Spring at minimum financial costs to allow the town to considerably profit from its sale. He succeeded in pushing through scientifically proven spa treatment methods and with their introduction, he triggered the dynamic development of Karlovy Vary to such an extent that the town became a Central European spa power in the course of the 19th century.
DAVID BECHER – STUDENT AND YOUNG SCHOLAR
David Becher was extraordinarily educated and progressive for his time. After finishing a local church school, he continued at the Piarist grammar school in nearby Ostrov and at the age of 19, he enrolled at Charles-Ferdinand University in Prague. Initially, he studied philosophy and he may have wanted to become a priest as his parents wished, however, to his own benefit and the benefit of Karlovy Vary, he eventually opted for medicine. He belonged among exceptionally gifted and diligent students. In chemistry, for example, he excelled so profoundly that immediately after completing his studies, he was offered the position of the head of the Chemistry Department.
Nonetheless, David Becher refused this offer of a lifetime because he intended to return to Karlovy Vary and to fully devote himself to general medicine. He briefly remained in Prague to serve as the dean of the Medical Faculty between the years 1757–1758 but after that, his steps ultimately led him to his native town. A rich and noble clientele awaited him at the springs, yet they alone were not the only reason behind his later fame. A young man well-learned in natural sciences, the future founder of modern balneology, was about to arrive in Karlovy Vary.
DAVID BECHER – PHYSICIAN
After completing his studies at the Medical Faculty of Charles-Ferdinand University in 1752, David Becher started practicing medicine in Viennese hospitals. Apparently, he had already drawn the attention of many physicians and their patients from Czech and Austrian nobility, who later came to him in Karlovy Vary. Even though he had excellent knowledge of spa treatment, Becher did not intend to passively continue in the established therapeutic procedures. He took advantage of his considerable knowledge as a chemist and since he also was a general practitioner, he asked himself key questions: what is the origin of the springs, what is their chemical composition, what are their effects in the human body, what is the essence of their healing power, what diseases can be effectively treated with them?
In 1766, he published his first scientific book on the Karlovy Vary springs. He persisted in his research until he was able to ground the Karlovy Vary spa treatment on completely new scientific foundations. This is evidenced by his groundbreaking book New Treatise on Karlovy Vary from 1789, which became the cornerstone of modern balneology.
Today, Becher's conclusions and recommendations are so obvious that they make us smile – water should be drunk directly at the source to ensure the concurrent intake of carbon dioxide, an important component of mineral water. The Karlovy Vary treatment should once again include baths that used to be customary. And finally, a suitable diet and reasonable exercise should be introduced so that the treatment is as effective as possible.
DAVID BECHER AND THE KARLOVY VARY ATTRIBUTES
Through his work, Dr. Becher promoted the drinking of mineral springs directly at their source, which resulted not only in the introduction of drinking cups, but also in the gradual construction of roofed pavilions and colonnades where spa guests could stroll and be protected from inclement weather. In collaboration with stone cutter Josef Müller, they ventured into cutting sinter, thereby laying the foundations for the typical local industry when people began making remarkable and popular souvenirs from polished sinter over time. In 1776, Becher had a beautiful tabletop inlaid with various types of sinter crafted for the Imperial and Royal Museum in Vienna, which he sent as a gift to Empress Maria Theresa. When he met her at an audience two years later, the Empress presented him with a diamond ring and subsequently a golden box.
DAVID BECHER AND THERMAL SALT
The first mention of thermal salt dates back to 1629. Thermal water was poured into a large cauldron and a fire was lit underneath until salt settled at its bottom. Because a lot of firewood was consumed during the process, the salt was produced in very limited quantities and sold only at the pharmacy.
From 1732, master dyer Bernard Richter was permitted to produce and sell Karlovy Vary salt, however, he met with intense protests from the town's inhabitants who feared that spa guests would buy the salt and stop coming to Karlovy Vary. Later, the production of thermal salt was managed by the town council and sold exclusively by the local pharmacist to visiting spa guests.
In 1763, David Becher met with the Supreme Chancellor of Bohemia, Rudolf Chotek, who wondered whether the town could make any profit from the sale of thermal salt as it had to pay for expensive firewood to produce it. David Becher devised an ingeniously simple process: 10 shallow kettles filled with thermal water were placed into a wooden tub. Water from the Hot Spring at a temperature of 72°C kept flowing through the tub day and night, heating the kettles so much that the water evaporated. Mineral residues remained at the bottom of the kettles and were further processed into the form of crystalline thermal salt.
This began a long history of animosity, libel, and threats against David Becher. From 1764 to 1783, the burghers complained about the production and sale of salt four times, the last time to the Emperor himself. Nonetheless, they could not stop the progress – the sale of Karlovy Vary salt brought considerable profits to the town treasury.
DAVID BECHER – BENEFACTOR
Apart from being a distinguished physician and scientist, David Becher was also a generous benefactor. Thanks to him, the first stone theatre could be opened in Karlovy Vary in July 1788 as he extended an interest-free loan to the town covering more than half of the financial costs (exactly 3,967 guldens and 29 kreuzers, whereas the theatre cost 7,000 guldens in total). The town acquired additional funds from the proceeds from the sale of thermal salt so tirelessly promoted by David Becher despite intense reluctance of the Karlovy Vary inhabitants. In addition, the sale of thermal salt enabled the construction of a new main school.
David Becher also thought of the poor and the ill, to whose care and development he bequeathed a considerable sum of money in his will. Another advantage was his high prestige exceeding far beyond Karlovy Vary, for example, due to his influential contacts at the Viennese court, he was able to raise funds for a new town clock and church bells, which were destroyed by a large fire of the spa town in May 1759.
David Becher's legacy for future generations embraces his charitable activities, the promotion of the spa town as a modern therapeutic centre in Central Europe, effective therapeutic procedures, and his research activities. He can be perceived not only as an outstanding physician, but also as a generous patron of culture, education, and social care.
DAVID BECHER'S MEMORIAL
David Becher died on 5 February 1792 and for four decades, he was hardly mentioned by anyone. The burghers of Karlovy Vary apparently could not forgive him for pushing through the production and sale of thermal salt (besides, they fought just as hard against the export of mineral water). It was not until 1833, when famous Karlovy Vary physician Jean de Carro recalled David Becher's life journey in his French yearbook Almanach de Carlsbad. Nevertheless, another 23 years of silence followed until his legacy was vehemently revived by another prominent of Karlovy Vary – Rudolf Mannl.
Thanks to financial donations from local spa physicians, a large enough sum was raised to fund a dignified memorial, i.e. a bronze bust and a marble pedestal. The model was made by Emanuel Max in 1847 and it was cast from bronze by Anton von Fernkorn in 1855. The memorial was unveiled at the Hot Spring Colonnade on 15 September 1856. At present, the bust is housed in the Karlovy Vary Museum.
On the pedestal, there was a laurel wreath with the inscription:
Davidi Becher Hippocrati thermarum Carolinarum nato in hac civitate XIX. Febr. MDCCXXV defuncto V. Febr. MDCCXCII Medici Carolo thermenses MDCCCLVI
DAVID BECHER'S TESTAMENT AND ESTATE
David Becher, one of the richest burghers of Karlovy Vary, died on 5 February 1792 at the age of 66 in his house U Otrokyně (At the Enslaved Woman) near the Hot Spring. He inherited a part of his estate from his first wealthy wife, Anna Sabina, and as a highly respected physician sought by high nobility, he could afford a comfortable life and assets due to his huge income.
Having been a devout Catholic, he thought of his soul in his will and for 100 guldens, he prepaid a total of 200 Holy masses at which his name was to be read. He did not forget to render this service to his deceased parents and siblings (100 masses for 50 guldens), to his first wife (100 masses for 50 guldens), and to all Christians as well (50 masses for 25 guldens). In addition to gold, silver, porcelain or a diamond ring from Maria Theresa, he bequeathed "a small contribution of 15,000 guldens per year" to his second wife Katharina. Likewise, he donated a part of his wealth to social causes, e.g. 80 guldens to a school fund to support poor pupils or 250 guldens to the local almshouse.
David Becher had truly enough to give away since his estate was valued at a staggering amount of 47,844 guldens and 53 kreuzers.
