[The records of the Medical Faculty of the University of Leipzig on the Woyzeck case, discovered again after 180 years].
Through Georg Büchner's drama the case of Johann Christian Woyzeck gained worldwide fame. For the first time ever this study presents the testimonial drawn up by the Medical Faculty of Leipzig University, which until now had been regarded as having been lost. Now, however, the first-named author rediscovered it in the files of the Leipzig University Archives. The testimonial proved to be a decisive importance, as it sealed Woyzeck's execution in 1824. Before presenting major passages from the testimonial this study give an overview of the chronology of the Woyzeck case and the other medico-psychiatric testimonials drawn up by Leipzig municipal physician Johann Christian August Clarus. It also reveals which professors of Leipzig Medical Faculty were involved in drawing up the final testimonial which confirmed Clarus's findings and rejected the objections raised by Woyzeck's counsel - remarkably without examining the offender himself first-hand, but merely relying on and evaluating the testimonials drawn up by Clarus.
Steinberg
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Archiv für Leipziger Psychiatriegeschichte, Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie, Universität Leipzig. steinbh@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Schmideler
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D001109:Archives / Q000266:history; D002203:Capital Punishment / Q000266:history*; D004324:Drama / Q000266:history*; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000266:history*; D005858:Germany; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D008513:Medicine in Literature