Series VI: Medical Sciences – SUPPLEMENT ... - Krongres

140
Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Bra�ov • Vol. 2 (51) - 2009 • Series VI
That is probably why the very young
dr. Gomoiu had to share with his master
the success of his own cervical
sympathectomy method for angina pectoris
pain management, a fact that seriously
afflicted him. [6]
More operatory procedures were given
his name, e.g. Gomoiu-Eden method for
the myoplastic treatment of facial
paralysis, or the Gomoiu-Phocas method
for the surgical management of inguinalscrotal
hernia. [8, 10]
In 1906, Dr. Gomoiu was member of
the editorial board of „Spitalul” („The
Hospital”) journal [6, 10] Along with Drs.
Gr. Georgescu and V. S�vescu, he edited
the shortlived publication „Le journal de
chirurgie de Bucarest”, (“The Bucharest
Surgical Journal”) directed by professor
Constantin Angelescu. Only few issues of
it appeared. [12]
The Balkan Wars
Dr. Gomoiu participated in the Balkan
Wars (1912-1913).
In October 1912, he left Bucharest,
leading a Romanian sanitary ambulance to
Turkey.
One month later, with the agreement of
the Turkish Red Crescent, he organized a
field hospital at Dede Agath. [7, ]8]
For his successful effort, the Turkish
government conferred upon him the
„Medgidia” order and „The Red Crescent”
Medal, whereas the Romanian authorities
awarded him the Silver Medal of the Red
Cross and the „Bravery and Loyalty”
Medal, I-st class. Dr. Gomoiu was also
mobilised during the two World Wars. [7]
After World War I he was awarded the
Légion d`Honneur.
Dr. Gomoiu, the benefactor
In 1925, Dr. Gomoiu was appointed
manager of the «Princess Elena» charity
foundation.
In 1925, he courageously decided to lay
the basis a medical, social and cultural
establishment at the periphery of
Bucharest, in the district named “Bariera
Vergului” (“The Verg`s Barrier”). [10]
Vartolomei Vergu (Vergo or Virgo) had
been a medieval merchant, civic dignitary,
lord steward and diplomat at
Brâncoveanu`s and Cantacuzino`s Court,
in 1693-1697. In the XX-th century, this
muddy zone was the land of the
disinherited “poor and ignorant” people.
For accomplishing his utopist dream
with the scarce available funds, most of
which originated in his own financial
contribution, Dr.Gomoiu offered to assist
patients of this hospital without any fee for
10 years. Money was also donated by the
«Princess Elena» charity foundation.
Dr. Gomoiu`s idea seemed to many a
Don Quixote’s foolish initiative and was
harshly criticized.
Victor Gomoiu himself adapted the
initial architectural building plans,
enabling more sections to be created:
internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and
gynecology, pediatrics and stomatology.
An Institute for Social and Charity Nurses
and a public bath were included, too.
"The Vergului barrier complex for
medical-social assistance", the accomplishment
of which he personally carefully
surveyed, was comprised of 10 medical
specialty offices, 60 beds, a pharmacy and
two laboratories, and was cited as a model
institution by the Sanitary Department of
the League of Nations in Geneva. [10]
To the hospital, a popular Athénée for
educational programs, a cinema, a park and
a church were added. Gomoiu and other
outstanding intellectuals gave conferences
there, aimed at common people emancipation
through culture and knowledge.
Gomoiu was awarded the „Djuvara”
prize for his lectures. The first meetings of
the Romanian Society for the History of
Medicine took place equally there.
Sanitary education held a privileged place,