Doctor Carol Davila

In mid 19th century, when the Romanian principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia were undergoing a modernisation process, they were lacking most institutions associated with the modern world, institutions which were first set up in Western Europe.

Christine Leșcu, 12.09.2015, 16:35

In mid 19th century, when the Romanian principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia were undergoing a modernisation process, they were lacking most institutions associated with the modern world, institutions which were first set up in Western Europe. The healthcare system was one of them. The situation was soon to be changed for the better, when ruler Barbu Stirbey brought to Bucharest doctor Carol Davila. His complete name was Carlo Antonio Francesco d’Avila and, although a French national, he was born in Parma, Italy.

The exact year of his birth is not known, it is either 1828 or 1830. His father’s name is also unknown. A legend, fuelled by the doctor himself, goes that his parents were countess Marie D’Agoult and composer Franz Liszt. The countess Marie D’Agoult indeed had three children with the famous pianist. One of their daughters, Cosima, came to be Richard Wagner’s wife. Carol, however, the son of the countess, who contributed to the emancipation of a small country in Eastern Europe, didn’t need the name of a famous father to win worldwide acclaim. Although his origins are not clear, his actions, once he settled in Wallachia, were highly appreciated.

Historian Ion Bulei has more on doctor Carol Davila’s biography: “The modernisation of Romanian society started during those times, when many Romanians studied in Western Europe and then returned to the country. As opposed to that, he was a foreigner who came here, embarking on the same route, but taking the opposite direction, choosing to stay here. This is partly due to his second wife, Ana Racovita, whom he met in 1861. Ana Racovita was related to the Golescu family of noble scholars, and she was a ravishing beauty. Davila fell so deeply in love with her that some historians claim she was actually one of the reasons he chose to stay in the Romanian Principalities. He believed that institutions were essential to the development of a state, and he did a lot from this point of view, by setting up the National Surgery School, in 1855. Later on, in 1869, Davila set up the Medical School. He is also the founder of the pharmaceutical and the veterinary education systems. He set up medical associations and publications, held lectures and made demonstrations, introduced medical courses in hospitals, established a system of free medical check-ups, set up asylums for orphans and deaf mute people, and set up a military ambulance service. After graduation, his students went to the major capitals of the world, to Paris, Rome, Berlin and Vienna. So, Davila was practically present everywhere. He was an extremely active character, being fully aware of a fact: Romania could develop a healthcare system only by setting up such institutions. “

Carol Davila’s essential contribution to the development of the Romanian medical system was also highly appreciated by those who succeeded Barbu Stirbey at the helm of the country: ruler Alexandru Ioan-Cuza and king Carol I. Actually, his entire family left an indelible mark on certain areas of Romania’s cultural and social life. An energetic and very active individual, Carol Davila was about 56 years old when he passed away, in august 1884. His life was however marked by many illnesses.

Here is historian Ion Bulei again: “It is true that he suffered from rheumatism. He also suffered from typhus and sciatica. From this point of view, he was unfortunate, but he was a happy, accomplished man from other points of view. He had a model family. He had two sons and two daughters. One of his sons was playwright Alexandru Davila, who was also the artistic director of the National Theatre in Bucharest, in the early 20th century. His daughter Elena married general Petricari and was one of queen Elisabeta’s ladies in attendance. She was a highly cultured and very well informed lady, whose memoirs, written in French and now kept in the archives of the Romanian Academy, describe life at the royal court and Romania’s overall situation. The book shows the author’s well defined literary talent and fascinates the reader with its minute details of daily life, which manage to recreate an atmosphere.”

Today, doctor Carol Davila continues to be appreciated and honoured by Romanians. The Medical School in Bucharest bears his name, and a life-size statue of Carol Davila is placed in front of the building hosting the institution. A bust of his, by world-famous sculptor of Romanian descent Constantin Brancusi, can also be admired in the courtyard of the Military Hospital in Bucharest.