Friedrich Eduard Bilz

When Friedrich Eduard Bilz (1843-1922) was born 175 years ago in Arnsdorf into fairly simple circumstances, nobody could have guessed that the offspring of a gardener would one day become a co-founder of popular naturopathy. Following his father's wishes (he died when Friedrich Eduard was 16 years old), he trained as a weaver. However, the cramped, overcrowded and draughty weaving rooms took their toll on his health. Assembly line-like working hours, the twinkling light and the unhealthy air he breathed robbed him of additional strength. And even a move to Meerane, where he had travelled to work, did not initially improve his weakened constitution. It was only when he married Marie Auguste Kreil, the daughter of a master weaver, that fortune smiled on Bilz again.

A flourishing colonial goods shop in their home finally gave him the independence he needed to devote himself to writing, the natural sciences and, above all, social and philosophical issues. This is all the more astonishing as he had previously only experienced the most elementary education at a village school, but Bilz was an ambitious autodidact. His own unhealthy experiences led him to become a member of the "Verein für Gesundheitspflege und Naturheilkunde", where he spent many years collecting ideas and instructions on holistic lifestyles, social justice and natural health teaching.

In the spring of 1888, he finally brought these ideas to market in the form of a naturopathic textbook ("Bilz, das neue Heilverfahren"), which was as thick as the Bible and sold like hot cakes. As the first editions were sold out within a short space of time and the small home in Meeran no longer offered enough space for the needs of the growing family business, the company moved to Dresden. At this time, the baroque city was emerging as an important industrial and business centre, with all its health effects on the factory workers and city dwellers. A number of sanatoriums had already been established, not only in Dresden, but also in Zitzschewig and Niederlößnitz.

Photo: Radebeul town archive

The nationwide success of Bilz's book put the author in the favourable position of acquiring a plot of land in Oberlößnitz, where he was able to ideally combine theory and practice in naturopathy. In general, Bilz was a resourceful businessman when it came to bindingly consolidating his sphere of activity. From then on, his clinic was constantly mentioned in the Bilz book, which was constantly sold and reprinted. This naturally led to an increase in demand for spa facilities. He also knew how to market his book excellently. At times, around 500 copies left the family publishing house every day; hundreds of representatives rang doorbells or gave health lectures followed by a sales session. Sophisticated advertising strategies and a variety of adverts did the rest.

The ways in which he publicised his sanatorium were similarly creative and innovative. This was then successively enlarged with new bathhouses, air cabins and dining rooms. In addition, entertaining diversions in the form of salons, promenades, bowling alleys and billiard tables were intended to promote convalescence. The winter promised ice-skating and tobogganing fun, and sporting activities were also of great importance in promoting healing. Patients rushed to Oberlößnitz in droves. The purchased property "Jägerberg" was integrated into the complex. For a few years, there was even a branch of the "Bilz' spa and steam baths" in Leipzig. No wonder that doctors of classical medicine were up in arms about this sensational success. Resentment and mistrust led them to fight against the alleged "cure bungling". Although they not only involved Bilz in legal proceedings, but also doctors employed by him, they knew nothing to oppose the boom of Bilz's book and sanatorium.

But every zenith is passed at some point. 95 years ago, shortly before his 80th birthday, the memorable pioneer of naturopathic healing practice passed away. With tireless commitment, he had endeavoured to pay as much attention as possible to nature and its effectiveness. He had this life motto chiselled in stone:

"Nature was my guiding star, may it also be the guiding star of posterity".

Maren Gündel, City Archive

Published in: Official Gazette Radebeul, February 2017