Medical care

Municipal physicians, apothecaries and barber surgeons were not the only people providing medical care for the city's population. From the 15th century at the latest, midwives officially sworn by the City of Regensburg cared for women before, during and after birth. They were supposed to assist all women, but were prohibited from attending Jewish women. However, the Jewish community had its own midwife.

Unlike in Frankfurt am Main, for example, all municipal physicians in Regensburg were Christian. It is therefore hardly surprising that there were Jewish physicians who were responsible for the medical needs of the Jewish community. Alongside a certain Abraham, who set up practice in the city in 1471, there were from the 14th century until the Jews' expulsion from the city in 1519 at least seven other Jewish doctors in Regensburg.

In what was known as the "Innsbrucker Prozess" (Innsbruck trial) (1516-1522), the City attempted to obtain authorisation to expel Regensburg's Jews. It put together numerous arguments and presented them before the court. The Jews fought against the attempt and responded to many of the points raised.

In a letter of complaint from the Regensburg tradesmen, the barber surgeons complained that the Christians preferred to seek treatment from the Jewish physicians rather than from their Christian fellow believers. In their response, the Jews stressed that there was only one single Jew who offered medical care in the city, and that for only a small proportion of his time.