MY MEDICAL MEMORIES OF THE ISLAND OF SUSAK IN THE YEARS 1912-1914

By Ernest Mayerhofer

The Viennese Pirquet Clinic, in addition to its extensive pharmacological activities and drug related therapeutic measures, also engaged in studies of natural climatic therapies without use of any types of drugs.

In the course of these attempts at applying natural medical therapies I searched for a spot on the Adriatic that would be adequate for thalassotherapy for children and was charged, by Pirquet himself, who was my clinical chief at that time, with the task of undertaking such balneological research. I had in mind a well isolated small island with a balmy maritime climate where children, referred by their physicians could covalence in the company of their parents without the usual seaside distractions. After a thorough search, particularly in the vicinity of the island Lošinj, I finally found the perfect place in 1912-13, on the island of Susak.

Very therapeutical for children's asthma, allergic conditions of pharynx (Catarrhus aestions), chronic bronchitis and similar ailments, the island of Susak is medically, one could say, Adriatic Helgoland. The location is also perfect for other pediatric indications. I will mention only various respiratory diseases, skin rashes, chronic and torpid forms of rheumatism, hiperthrophia tonsillaris, convalescence after various infectious diseases, etc.

On the basis of my research and medical experience I recommended the island of Susak as a children's sea spa to the Viennese pediatric clinic, to Pirquet himself and to dr. Mosetic, county superintendent of Losinj at the time. We already had quite a number of children in therapy in the 1913 /1914 seasons, so I proposed, as economically viable to dr. Mosetic to undertake further reconstruction works. Dr. Mosetic bought and ameliorated the area around the bay, constructed a number of small houses, a kitchen and a small hotel as well as a number of tents and reed cabins for aerotheraphy.

In the midst of all these preparations, World War I broke out unexpectedly, I was mobilized and never again had the opportunity to see Susak or the project of my early medical days. Vice major! But I never forgot Susak and in the period from 1920 all the way up to 1952, I kept mentioning it in medical literature. As a pediatrician, I constantly advocated my view regarding the island's therapeutical climate.

The best known sand beach on the island is Bouk Bay, once a famous Austro-Hungarian sea-spa for allergic children and now famous for its therapeutic healing of women with fertility problems. From the village to the beach takes only ten minutes of walk.
In the village itself, there are two beaches: one in the small bay of Dragoca right by the village, and the other one near the port. Right behind the Fisherman's House there is a string of small coves for those who prefer a private beach.

Back to Susak web page!