Johann Christian Theden

Johann Christian Anton Theden (born 13th. September 1714 in Steinbeck, Mecklenburg; died 21st. October 1797 in Berlin), was Surgeon-General of the Prussian Army and personal doctor to Frederick the Great, a medical researcher, alchemist, and a leading freemason and rosicrucian. He was also influential in bringing Russian Freemasonry under the Control of Prussian lodges, through which he exerted diplomatic influence.

Life'
Theden was the youngest of 23 children. Despite beginning as a mere barber's apprentice, he reached the pinnacle of the medical profession. One of his teachers was the City Doctor Johann Siegmund Hahn (1696–1773) of Schweidnitz, who co-founded spa treatment in Germany so that Theden also became a practitioner.

A reference to his own origins can be found in Theden's own writings: "Our German army doctors, unfortunately! for the most part are trained by barbers. For three years they work for barbers and imbibe their teaching. After this they are apprenticed having learned nothing more than how to wash a beard and put on plaster and poultices... many can barely read and, even if they can, they learn no more than their teachers before them“ (Source: Unterricht für die Unterwundärzte bey Armeen - Report on the army medical service)

After the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) Theden was appointed Third Surgeon-General of the Prussian Army and after the death of Johann Leberecht Schmuckers (1712–1786) became First Surgeon-General at the Charité in Berlin (till his death in 1797). His successor was Surgeon-General Johann Goercke (1750–1822).

Theden performed his greatest service to Surgery. His "Inflamed Wound- or Shot-water" made of brandy, honey or sugar, vinegar and diluted sulphuric acid for treating inflamed wounds - a development of the method of his predecessor Schmucker - came into general use as "Tinctura Antimonii Thedenii". He designed the Elastic Catheter, a new method for stemming bloodflow used in treating broken knees etc.

He married Juliane Sophie Engel (1723–78), daughter of Johann Gottlieb Engel (1689-1754), Alderman, and Catharina nöe Haupt (1701–50). Their daughter Christiane Wilhemine (1753-1831) married Archdeacon Bolzius and, following his death, Major-General Gottfried Ludwig Matthias von Hartmann (1738-1807), commander of the Prussian Artllery Corps, who was decorated with the Pour le Mérite in 1775.

Memberships
Member of the Kaiserlich Leopoldinisch-Carolinischen Deutschen Akademie der Naturwissenschaftler (now known as the Leopoldina) Freemasonry: 1765 Member of the Strict Observance. From 1765-1767 he was Master of the Three Circle Lodge ("Zu den drei Zirkeln") in Stettin. In Berlin he was Master of the "Zur Eintracht" Lodge from 1771-1784, likewise of the Motherlodge "Three Globes" ("Zu den drei Weltkugeln") from 1784-1794, after which he was Grand Master of the Scottish Rite ("altschottischer Obermeister"). A masonic medal was struck in his honour.

Weblinks
Literature about Johann Christian Anton Theden in the Catalogue of the Deutschen Nationalbibliothek Online-Catalogue of the Staatsbibliothek in Berlin Tinctura Antimonii Thedenii (Rezeptur und Beschreibung von Thedens Wund- und Schusswasser)