MAYER 285 



experienced at home that resulted in a deep depression in 

 view of the complete denial of all recognition, not of the 

 truth of his ideas, but of their originality. 



He hoped to find some consolation, together with suitable 

 bodily care, in a sanatorium. ^ The first that he visited did 

 not suit him; he was recommended another, where the young 

 physician would have more time to pay attention to him. 

 The advice was bad; the young doctor had just fitted himself 

 out for a new treatment by means of a strait-chair, and 

 appliied this thoroughly to Mayer. An attempt to leave the 

 sanatorium failed on account of periods of unconsciousness, 

 which overcame Mayer in his state of complete weakness; he 

 was brought back to the sanatorium and further ill-treated 

 both bodily and mentally. The head physician, whom he 

 wished to see, was never available; a Councillor, to whom he 

 was taken approved the treatment, and his freedom was only 

 obtained after thirteen months. ^ 



His kind and trusting nature, which had been so grievously 

 disappointed by both his scientific and medical colleagues, 

 was completely transformed by his experiences; his iron will 

 came uppermost; he felt capable of defying fate.^ After a 

 convalescence in Switzerland he was able to take up again his 

 work as a doctor in Heilbronn. He always remained highly 

 sensitive towards injurious and offensive remarks, and it 

 must be remembered that plenty of opportunity of this kind 

 still continued to occur; for a false report concerning him was 

 spread in newspapers, public lectures, and finally (1863) even 



1 This double hope, which Mayer quite naturally entertained, is a 

 good proof that he himself was an unusually good doctor for his own 

 patient. 



2 From the statements of this Councillor, it appears that Mayer was 

 treated for megalomania, for it was assumed that he imagined himself to 

 have made a discovery which he had not really made. 



2 It should be particularly noted that Mayer continued to recognise 

 willingly and joyfully all the achievements of his contemporaries such as 

 Joule and Helmholtz, and even went too far in his respect on many oc- 

 casions. Only, as he says, he was not prepared to admit 'that he had 

 expressed any willingness to abandon documented rights of priority.' 



