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{{short description|Dutch physician}}

{{short description|Dutch physician}}

[[Image:Ita Wegman 1899.jpg|thumb|Ita Wegman in 1899 in Berlin]]

[[Image:Ita Wegman 1899.jpg|thumb|Ita Wegman in 1899 in Berlin]]

'''Ita Wegman''' (22 February 1876 – 4 March 1943) co-founded [[Anthroposophical Medicine]] with [[Rudolf Steiner]]. In 1921, she founded the first anthroposophical medical clinic in Arlesheim, known until 2014 as the Ita Wegman Clinic.<ref>Arlesheim Klinik, http://www.klinik-arlesheim.ch/de/klinik-arlesheim/</ref> She also developed a special form of [[massage therapy]], called rhythmical massage, and other self-claimed therapeutic treatments.

'''Ita Wegman''' (22 February 1876 – 4 March 1943) co-founded [[Wikipedia:Anthroposophical Medicine|Anthroposophical Medicine]] with [[Rudolf Steiner]]. In 1921, she founded the first anthroposophical medical clinic in Arlesheim, known until 2014 as the Ita Wegman Clinic.<ref>Arlesheim Klinik, http://www.klinik-arlesheim.ch/de/klinik-arlesheim/</ref> She also developed a special form of [[Wikipedia:massage therapy|massage therapy]], called rhythmical massage, and other self-claimed therapeutic treatments.

==Early life and education==

==Early life and education==

Ita Wegman, as she was known throughout her life, was born as ''Maria Ita Wegman'' in 1876 in [[Karawang]], [[West Java]], the first child of a Dutch colonial family. Around the turn of the century, she returned to Europe (she had visited before) and studied therapeutic gymnastics and massage. In 1902, when she was 26, she met [[Rudolf Steiner]] for the first time. Five years later, she began medical school at the [[University of Zurich]], where women were not discriminated to study medicine. She was granted a diploma as a medical doctor in 1911 with a specialization in women's medicine and joined an existing medical practice.

Ita Wegman, as she was known throughout her life, was born as ''Maria Ita Wegman'' in 1876 in [[Wikipedia:Karawang|Karawang]], [[Wikipedia:West Java|West Java]], the first child of a Dutch colonial family. Around the turn of the century, she returned to Europe (she had visited before) and studied therapeutic gymnastics and massage. In 1902, when she was 26, she met [[Rudolf Steiner]] for the first time. Five years later, she began medical school at the [[Wikipedia:University of Zurich|University of Zurich]], where women were not discriminated to study medicine. She was granted a diploma as a medical doctor in 1911 with a specialization in women's medicine and joined an existing medical practice.

==Career==

==Career==

[[Image:Ita Wegman vor1900.jpg|thumb|Before 1900 in Berlin]]

[[Image:Ita Wegman vor1900.jpg|thumb|Before 1900 in Berlin]]

In 1917, having opened an independent practice, she developed a [[Anthroposophical medicine#Mistletoe treatment for cancer|cancer treatment]] using an extract of [[mistletoe]] following indications from Steiner. This first remedy, which she called ''Iscar'', was later developed into ''Iscador'' and has become an approved cancer treatment in Germany and a number of other countries,<ref>Kienle, Kiene and Albonico, Anthroposophic Medicine, Schattauer 2006 {{ISBN|3-7945-2495-0}}, Chapter 3 and 6</ref> and is undergoing clinical trials in the U.S.A.<ref>National Cancer Institute, [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/mistletoe/HealthProfessional/page3 Mistletoe extracts]</ref>

In 1917, having opened an independent practice, she developed a [[Wikipedia:Anthroposophical medicine#Mistletoe treatment for cancer|cancer treatment]] using an extract of [[Wikipedia:mistletoe|mistletoe]] following indications from Steiner. This first remedy, which she called ''Iscar'', was later developed into ''Iscador'' and has become an approved cancer treatment in Germany and a number of other countries,<ref>Kienle, Kiene and Albonico, Anthroposophic Medicine, Schattauer 2006 {{ISBN|3-7945-2495-0}}, Chapter 3 and 6</ref> and is undergoing clinical trials in the U.S.A.<ref>National Cancer Institute, [http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/mistletoe/HealthProfessional/page3 Mistletoe extracts]</ref>

By 1919 she had a joint practice together with two other doctors, also women. In 1920 she purchased land in [[Arlesheim]], where she opened her own clinic, the ''Klinisch-Therapeutisches Institut'', or Clinical-Therapeutic Institute, the next year. A number of other doctors joined the institute, which grew steadily over the next years as a first center for [[anthroposophical medicine]].  In 1922 she founded a therapeutic home for mentally handicapped children, ''Haus Sonnenhof'', also in Arlesheim, and co-founded a pharmaceutical laboratory, [[Weleda]], that has since grown into a significant producer of medicines and health-care products.

By 1919 she had a joint practice together with two other doctors, also women. In 1920 she purchased land in [[Wikipedia:Arlesheim|Arlesheim]], where she opened her own clinic, the ''Klinisch-Therapeutisches Institut'', or Clinical-Therapeutic Institute, the next year. A number of other doctors joined the institute, which grew steadily over the next years as a first center for [[Wikipedia:anthroposophical medicine|anthroposophical medicine]].  In 1922 she founded a therapeutic home for mentally handicapped children, ''Haus Sonnenhof'', also in Arlesheim, and co-founded a pharmaceutical laboratory, [[Wikipedia:Weleda|Weleda]], that has since grown into a significant producer of medicines and health-care products.

In the following year, Rudolf Steiner asked Wegman to join the Executive Council of the newly reformed [[Anthroposophical Society]] at the [[Goetheanum]] in [[Dornach]], [[Switzerland]]. She also directed the Medical Section of the research center at the Goetheanum. Together, Wegman and Steiner wrote what was to be Steiner's last book, ''Extending Practical Medicine'' (earlier editions were published as ''Fundamentals of Therapy''), which gave a theoretical basis to the new medicine they were developing. The book was partly written while Wegman cared for Steiner, who was already terminally ill. Wegman founded a new medical journal, ''Natura'', the following year.

In the following year, Rudolf Steiner asked Wegman to join the Executive Council of the newly reformed [[Wikipedia:Anthroposophical Society|Anthroposophical Society]] at the [[Wikipedia:Goetheanum|Goetheanum]] in [[Wikipedia:Dornach|Dornach]], [[Wikipedia:Switzerland|Switzerland]]. She also directed the Medical Section of the research center at the Goetheanum. Together, Wegman and Steiner wrote what was to be Steiner's last book, ''Extending Practical Medicine'' (earlier editions were published as ''Fundamentals of Therapy''), which gave a theoretical basis to the new medicine they were developing. The book was partly written while Wegman cared for Steiner, who was already terminally ill. Wegman founded a new medical journal, ''Natura'', the following year.

In 1936, the clinic opened a second home in [[Ascona]], Switzerland. Shortly thereafter, difficulties between Wegman and the rest of the Executive Council flared up, and Wegman was asked to leave the Council; in addition, she and a number of supporters had their membership in the Anthroposophical Society itself  withdrawn. The medical work flourished, however, and Wegman travelled extensively in support of the rapidly growing movement to extend medicine's limits; she was especially active in the Netherlands and England during this time.

In 1936, the clinic opened a second home in [[Wikipedia:Ascona|Ascona]], Switzerland. Shortly thereafter, difficulties between Wegman and the rest of the Executive Council flared up, and Wegman was asked to leave the Council; in addition, she and a number of supporters had their membership in the Anthroposophical Society itself  withdrawn. The medical work flourished, however, and Wegman travelled extensively in support of the rapidly growing movement to extend medicine's limits; she was especially active in the Netherlands and England during this time.

Wegman died in Arlesheim in 1943, at the age of 67.

Wegman died in Arlesheim in 1943, at the age of 67.

==See also==

==See also==

*[[Holism]]

*[[Wikipedia:Holism|Holism]]

*[[Biopsychosocial model]]

*[[Wikipedia:Biopsychosocial model|Biopsychosocial model]]

== References ==

== References ==