Ballin, Samuel Jacob

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BALLIN, SAMUEL JACOB

BALLIN, SAMUEL JACOB (1802–1866), Danish physician, best known for his efforts to combat Asiatic cholera. Born and educated in Copenhagen, he was early recognized as an expert in the treatment of Asiatic cholera and in 1831–32 traveled abroad by royal order to study the disease further. His published findings became a valuable source of information concerning the disease. During the great cholera epidemic in Copenhagen (1853) he was appointed chief physician of the cholera hospital and a member of the Board of Health. In honor of his achievements, he was appointed a member of the Royal Medical Society and given a professorship. Ballin was an active member of the National Liberal Party and an enthusiastic supporter of a Scandinavian union. Ballin was physician of the Jewish community for a number of years.

[Nathan Koren]