Rizal was a skilled doctor who received advanced training in ophthalmology in Europe. He practiced medicine in Hong Kong and Dapitan, treating patients from all walks of life. As the only doctor in Dapitan, he became a general practitioner and performed surgeries. His most important patients included his mother Teodora and Josephine Bracken's stepfather. Even while exiled in Dapitan, Rizal's medical skills and fame continued to spread.
Rizal was a skilled doctor who received advanced training in ophthalmology in Europe. He practiced medicine in Hong Kong and Dapitan, treating patients from all walks of life. As the only doctor in Dapitan, he became a general practitioner and performed surgeries. His most important patients included his mother Teodora and Josephine Bracken's stepfather. Even while exiled in Dapitan, Rizal's medical skills and fame continued to spread.
Rizal was a skilled doctor who received advanced training in ophthalmology in Europe. He practiced medicine in Hong Kong and Dapitan, treating patients from all walks of life. As the only doctor in Dapitan, he became a general practitioner and performed surgeries. His most important patients included his mother Teodora and Josephine Bracken's stepfather. Even while exiled in Dapitan, Rizal's medical skills and fame continued to spread.
Dr. Jose Rizal • Graduated from Madrid Central University • Specialized in Ophthalmology (eye doctor) • Had his internship in prestigious eye clinics in Germany • Germany- center of science and technology in the 1800s • The only Asian eye doctor with a European training Hong Kong • Place where Rizal first practiced his profession • He had many patients because eye doctors were rare • His family (mother, sisters and Paciano) lived with him during his stay in Hong Kong • His fame spread quickly Hong Kong • In 1892, he went to Manila to inaugurate the La Liga Filipina. • He never made it back to his Hong Kong clinic because he got arrested and exiled to Dapitan. Dapitan • Rizal continued his medical practice in a nipa hut clinic. • His patients were the residents of Talisay (a purok) in Dapitan town, in present-day Zamboanga del Norte • He also sailed to nearby barangays and puroks in his little boat. He held clinics there too. Dapitan • Since Rizal was the only doctor in that region, he became a general practitioner. • His medical practice not only focused on ophthalmology. He treated all sorts of illnesses, including syphilis. • He also practiced dentistry. He ordered his sister to bring him dentistry tools from Manila. Dapitan • His fame spread quickly in Mindanao. • He treated all sorts of people from all walks of life. • In one of his letters, he mentioned treating some Moro people. • He also treated a rich old woman from Dipolog who disguised as a poor person. He charged her P5. Dapitan • Patients in Luzon travelled far to Dapitan just to have themselves treated by Rizal. • Rizal sometimes treat his patients by “remote control”. His sisters would write to him the complaints and symptoms of a patient in Luzon, then he would reply by mail from Dapitan. Dapitan • Rizal’s biggest rivals in Dapitan were the kulams and albularyos. • Some patients still patronize these local native “doctors” • Rizal wrote a comics humorously attacking the kulams Most Important Patient • Teodora Alonzo, his mother • Rizal operated her eye to remove the cataract • Later, the other eye had problems too, Rizal operated on it, but she wasn’t healed. • The old woman wasn’t obedient to Rizal’s post-op instructions. Another Important Patient • Mr. George Taufer, the adoptive father of Josephine Bracken. • Josephine Bracken accompanied her almost- blind stepfather from Hong Kong to Dapitan to be treated by Rizal. • This is when and where Jose met Josephine for the first time. • Rizal’s surgery on Taufer was not successful. Another Important Patient • Angry at Rizal, Mr. George Taufer, went back to Hong Kong. • Josephine went back to Dapitan and had a live-in relationship with Rizal. Interesting Visitor • In June 1896, Rizal had a doctor for a visitor, Dr. Pio Valenzuela. • Dr. Valenzuela brought with him a blind man as a prop (supposedly a patient for Rizal). • Dr. Valenzuela’s real mission was to recruit Rizal in the KKK, or at least get his blessings for the revolution they were planning. • Rizal didn’t bite. Interesting Visitor • To avoid suspicion, Rizal examined the blind man. • He was beyond cure, but he gave him a prescription just the same. • He prescribed a diuretic (not related to any eye disease!) • Then they parted ways. Cuba • Rizal volunteered to be a military doctor in Cuba. • The Cubans were having a revolution for their independence. • Rizal would be on the side of Spain. He would treat wounded Spanish soldiers. • His application was granted. Cuba • On his way to Cuba, the Philippine Revolution broke out. • The Katipuneros shouted “Mabuhay si Dr. Jose Rizal” whenever they charge at the Spaniards. • The Spaniards thought Rizal was their leader. • He was arrested on board the ship that was taking him to Cuba. Cuba • Rizal was brought back to Manila in hand cuffs. • He was tried and executed. • That was the end of his medical career.