Max Sandreczky

[1] He became well known both for his progressive approach to pediatric medicine, and for his humanism in treating children of all faiths, Muslim, Christian and Jewish,[2] without any attempt at proselytising.

He developed an understanding of the importance of psychological factors for the well-being of sick children; the nature of leprosy; and the role of bacteria and fungi in causing infections.

[1] In failing health, Sandreczky killed himself on June 22, 1899, at the age of 60, haunted by fears that he would become a burden to his family and not be able to continue helping sick children.

[2] As Sandreczky did not proselytize the children in his care, he could not obtain funding from church institutions, as did all hospitals in Jerusalem at the time.

[4] During the 1898 visit of Kaiser Wilhelm II to Jerusalem, Sandreczky was awarded the Order of the Red Eagle.