Blumentrost

BLUMENTROST, Ivan Lavrentievich (Johann Deodatus Blumentrost, 1676-1756), son of Lavrentius Alferovich Blumentrost, studied medicine in Germany and published the dissertation «Pulsuum theoria et praxis», Halle, 1702. Upon returning to Russia, he became a court physician, treating Peter I and his family. Enjoying considerable influence, Blumentrost presented a project for the reorganization and improvement of the medical administration in Russia. Following the review of this project, a decree was issued (September 7, 1721) on the establishment of the Medical Chancery or Collegium under the leadership of the arch-physician, along with a hospital attached to it; the inspection of pharmacies and the establishment of price regulations for them; and examinations for physicians wishing to have the right to practice (in view of the prevalence of quackery). Blumentrost assumed the position of arch-physician and sought to concentrate all medical institutions in his hands, which resulted in a dispute between him and Bidloo, the director of the Moscow General Hospital. Under Anna Ivanovna, Blumentrost fell out of favor and was dismissed from his post; the administration of the Medical Chancery was entrusted to a "Doctor's Assembly" of 5 persons, including Bidloo.

BLUMENTROST, Lavrentius Alferovich (Laurentius Blumentrost, 1619-1705), born in Mühlhausen, son of a pastor, studied medicine in Helmstedt, Leipzig, and Jena*, where in 1648 he defended the dissertation «De scorbuto». Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich invited Blumentrost as a court physician, and in 1668 he arrived with his family in Moscow, where he maintained a large practice as an excellent physician. In 1668, he wrote «Pharmacopaea domestica et postalis», which was subsequently translated into German (1716).

BLUMENTROST, Lavrentius Lavrentievich (1692-1755), brother of Ivan Lavrentievich Blumentrost, studied medicine in Halle, Oxford, and Leiden, where he published the dissertation «De secretione animali» (1713). He treated Peter I, soon taking the place of his deceased patron, Leib-medicus Erskine. Assuming management of the imperial library and Kunstkamera, Blumentrost gave Peter I the idea of establishing the Academy of Sciences. The project, drawn up by Blumentrost together with Schumacher, was approved by Peter in early 1724. Despite Peter's death, Blumentrost brought the matter to completion, and by the end of 1725, academic sessions began. On December 21, 1725, Blumentrost was appointed president of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. Having fallen out of favor under Anna Ivanovna when an outbreak of plague occurred in the army during the war with Turkey (1738)—which diverted most physicians, including all physicians of the Moscow General Hospital, to the front—Blumentrost was invited to the position of senior doctor of the hospital and director of the hospital school. In 1755, before his death, Blumentrost discussed measures for the organization of Moscow University with Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov.