Dr. Busoni, the Italian doctor who saved Pont-la-Ville from cholera

Venant (Antoine, Philippe, Marie) Busoni was born on January 17, 1827, in Ferrara, Italy. It turns out that the arrival of this doctor in Pont-la-Ville is closely linked to the presence of cholera that threatens the region.

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, cholera and its modes of transmission are well known. The causative agent of the disease is the bacterium Vibrio cholerae or comma bacillus. It was later discovered by Filippo Pacini in 1854 and again by Robert Koch in 1883.

On July 19, 1832, the municipal council of Pont-la-Ville met under the chairmanship of Joseph Aubriot, the mayor of the city, and received the municipal deputy of Serfontaine, the mayor’s envoy. The purpose of this meeting is to provide a monthly wage for a doctor or health officer who resides in one of the municipalities of Pont-la-Ville, Serfontaine or Isinville. At that time Dr. Buzzoni was only 5 years old.

The arguments for this intercommunal health union were developed by Mayor Joseph Aubriot: “Considering that disease surrounds us on all sides and that it is unfortunate that we can be affected by it like many other municipalities, taking into account also that there is no doctor Or a health official among us, and that in the event of a disease outbreak, the residents of neighboring municipalities will barely have enough, and it is then important to ensure the presence of a technical man.

The council then votes on an amount of money proportional to the population of the three municipalities. This amount is provided for the doctor’s wages, the purchase of essential medicines, the compensation of nurses or patient guards and to rent a horse and car for the doctor’s travels.

We no longer find any other decisions regarding cholera other than voting from time to time on sums of money for the same needs. The epidemic appears to have afflicted the population from 1851 to 1855, peaking in 1854.

“Unrelenting enthusiasm and unending dedication.”

It is assumed from the writings that Dr. Busoni provided his care as early as 1851 during the third epidemic, when he was 24 years old. The municipal council met spontaneously on September 20, 1854.

The city’s mayor at the time, Théophile Noblo, stated: “In view of the enormous services which M. Busoni, Doctor of Medicine, has rendered to the municipality by his untiring zeal and inexhaustible devotion during the epidemic of 1854, the Municipal Council feels the need to express to him its profound gratitude. A loyal interpreter of the whole population and wishes to join in the wish expressed by By unanimous consent of the municipalities where Mr. Busoni has shown such courageous devotion, the Council expresses its sincere desire to see a doctor who knows how to deserve the affection and sympathy of all, to settle among the population who are indebted to him in so many ways. It deems further that a copy of this deliberation be given to Mr. Busoni in appreciation For his deep and profound gratitude.

The municipal council met again on 24 September 1854 and voted to award the sum of 166.66 francs to the priest for the costs incurred in feeding and maintaining the doctor during the epidemic and also voted to award the sum of 200 francs to Dr. Busoni in gratitude for the admirable devotion he had shown.

The municipal council, in deliberation on October 14, 1855, voted for the reward of 100 francs, on the condition that he settle in the municipality.

Dr. Busoni then settled at Pont-la-Ville, married Miss Anne Adelaide Foggian on October 17, 1856, and they had at least five children.

Exceptional man

Among all the writings in the various archives, we note that this doctor was an exceptional being, endowed with extraordinary charisma and dedication. He gave himself up to help and care for others and died suffering.

Extracts : “An elite intelligence, an active spirit, and a heart of gold, Dr. Busoni was extremely amiable in his relations. Thanks to the influence of his excellent mother and the education he received at the Jesuit college at Ferrara, he loved the Holy Church. It is impossible to say with what surrender and with what submission to the holy will of God he endured his sufferings.” It continued until his death.

He was completely blind, and died on February 13, 1872, at the age of 45. He was buried in Pont La Ville Cemetery. Given its importance in village life, it deserved a ‘place’ in its name. Adjacent to this square are three beautiful willow trees that are listed as “Magnificent Trees” by the Tourist Office of Trois-Foret.

From our correspondent Jack Weber