THE SCHOLAR’S

JOURNEY

Rizal’s Search for Advance Knowledge

Prepared by:
Camille Calinisan
Rizal’s Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology

What is Ophthalmology?
- the branch of medical science dealing with
the anatomy, functions, diseases, and treatment
of the eye.
Rizal first studied the eye
under the famous French
ophthalmologist, Louis de
Wecker (1832-1906). Rizal
served as assistant at de
Wecker's clinic from
November 1885 to
February 1886 in Paris.
 • Rizal choose to advance his studies in
Germany. So, in February 1886, Rizal moved
to Heidelberg.
•He had a special training under Dr.
Otto Becker (Augenklinik).
• He was professor of ophthalmology
at the University of Heidelberg
from 1868 to 1890
• On his way back to de Wecker's clinic in Paris in 1887, Rizal
took time to travel through Europe to learn from and visit with
some additional prominent ophthalmologists and scientists
(Ernst Fuchs, Rudolph Virchow)
• In Calamba in 1887, Rizal finally began to
fulfill his lifelong dream of caring for his
mother's eyesight.
• In Hong Kong in 1892, he successfully
removed the cataract from his mother's left eye
• Two years later, at Dapitan, he extracted the
right cataract
 Ferdinand Blumentritt: A friend and mentor
• He was born in Prague on 10 September 1853
• He studied History at Prague University
• He was married to Rosa Muller and had three children:
Friedrich, Konrad, and Dolores
• While Rizal is continuing his medical studies in
Germany, he heard of an Austrian scholar in Leitmeritz.
• Upon learning that he was studying the Tagalog language,
Rizal sent him a letter.
• Blumentritt reciprocated with a gift of two books as
evidenced in Rizal’s letter.
• Four months into the correspondence, Rizal suggest that
they exchange photographs.
University of
Heidelberg

Prepared by:
Rhonalyn Rosales
 University of Heidelberg

• In University of Heidelberg, Rizal attended his lecture

courses.
• Dr. Karl Ullmer- a Lutheran minister and where Rizal lived.
• April 22, 1886- Rizal wrote the tender beautiful poem “To the
Flower of Heidelberg ( A Las Flores de Heidelberg)”
• Rizal remain in Heidelberg for three months to complete his
short course.
 University of Leipzig
• In University of Leipzig he transfered to study
psychology and history.
• Professor Friedrich Ratzel- A friend of Rizal and a
professor of History who helped change the method of
historical Research.
• Rizal made up his mind to study medicine, because of
his mother eyes.
 The Making of Noli

• Rizal continued to write Noli Me Tangere

• Dr. Feodor Jagor- who wrote the “Travels in the
Philippines” and became friend of Rizal.
• Dr, Rudolf Virchow and Dr. Wilhelm- they made Rizal a
member of the Berlin Anthropological Society.
• In February 22, 1887- Noli Me Tangere was finished in Berlin.
 Maximo Viola: The Savior of Noli
• Dr. Maximo Viola- a rich young Filipino whom Rizal had known
in Madrid and help Rizal.
• He helps Rizal to publish the Noli Me Tangere.
• The first copies of Noli Me Tangere was sent to Dr. Blumentritt.
• Dr. Adolph B. Meyer- he admired and known Rizal in his work.
• July 5, 1887- Rizal took a ship from Marseilles to come home to
the Philippines, and to operate the cataracts of his mother eyes.
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