Chaim Mendel aka Mieczysław Themerson (1871–1930) – doctor of medicine from Płock, writer and journalist was born on October 8, 1871, as the son of the turner Rubin and Chaja Tauba Themerson. Chaim Mendel graduated from the Płock Governorate Middle High School, and then the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Warsaw. After graduation, he ran a private medical practice at Grodzka Street. Chaim Mendel’s wife was Sara Liba vel Salomea née Smulewicz (born 1879), with whom he had three children: a daughter Irena (born 1904) and sons Stefan (1910-1988), who later became an outstanding writer, journalist and filmmaker, and Roman (1900 –1929), a doctor. In 1914, Chaim Mendel was mobilized into the tsarist army – he performed the duties of a military doctor in Wielkie Łuki. In 1919 he returned with his family to Płock. The Themersons lived at 5 Grodzka Street. This is also where Chaim Mendel ran his office as an internal medicine specialist. He was also a doctor of the Local Health Fund.

Chaim Mendel aka Mieczysław Themerson was passionate about literature: he published medical articles and minor literary works in such magazines as: “Ginekologia”, “Zdrowie”, “Goniec Poranny”, “Kurier Codzienny”, “Tygodnik Ilustrowany”, “Rozmaitości Literackie i Naukowe” and “Izraelita”. He was the author of the dramatic works “Tajemnica” (“Secret”), “Trucizna” (“Poison”), “Pleśń” (“Mold”), and “Na fali” (“On the Wave” – staged in Płock in 1903), as well as the novels “Szpieg” (“Spy”) and “Bunt krwi” (“Blood Revolt”). Themerson was also a social activist – co-founder of the Society for Free Care for Poor, Sick Jews. He belonged to the Płock Scientific Society, Płock Rowing Society and the Polish Progressive Press.

Mieczysław Themerson

Józef Majer Kunig (1857-1930) – son of Szyja Lejzer and Ryfka née Majorkiewicz. A graduate of the Governorate Middle High School in Płock and the Imperial University of Warsaw. For many years the director of the Izaak Fogel Jewish hospital. He was a well-known social activist in Płock: during World War I he was active in the Committee for Aid to Jews in Płock, in the 1920s – in the Jewish Charity Society. He was also the president of the Hazomir Association.

Józef Majer Kunig (source: G. Nowak, Żydzi płoccy. Album pamięci, Płock 2015; original in the collection of the Library of the Płock Scientific Society)

Dawid Wassercug, a doctor of medicine, was born in Włocławek in 1857 as the son of Salomon and Necha née Nirensztejn. He graduated from high school there, then entered the Imperial University of Warsaw. In 1880, while still a student, he wrote a dissertation entitled “About the bladder” for a competition and was awarded a gold medal. After passing the examination with honors, in 1882 he was approved as a doctor. In the same year, after returning from abroad, where he went for research purposes, he was appointed the head obstetrician of Płock. In 1887, at his own request, he was dismissed from the office. During his stay in Płock, he wrote the following works: “Extrophia vesicae urinariae cum epispadiasi”, “Peritoneum monograph”, “A case of an extravasal haematopoiesis complicated by the presence of a clot in the left fallopian tube, diagnosed during life as an extrauterine object”, “What to do with a case of placenta praevia” and “On the effects of cocaine on blood circulation”, which he wrote as a subject for his dissertation for his medical doctor degree. In 1887, he took the position of a senior factory doctor at the Zawiercie Stock Society. He worked there for the next 10 years. At the same time, he devoted his time to literary and scientific work. During his stay in Zawiercie, he wrote two works that were highly appreciated by the critics of the time: “Eye symptoms in disorders of the brain system, and their value in diagnosing the nature of brain diseases” and “On pain and its cognitive value.” Apart from the ones published in print, he also started an extensive work “On Tinnitus” and “On Ovaries”. He also wrote a novel entitled “Szymek”.

Dawid Wassercug had a sharp mind, comprehensive education, constantly worked on self-improvement, had a passion for his profession, great compassion for the suffering and extraordinary tact – these were the qualities that made him work first in Płock and then as a senior factory doctor in Zawiercie, was highly appreciated by the citizens of both towns.

Dawid Wassercug died in 1898. He was buried in Warsaw.

Dawid Wassercug’s wife was Matylda née Ginsberg.

In Płock, he lived with his family at 8 Old Market Square (mortgage no. 10).