BALLIN, SAMUEL JACOB:
Danish physician; born at Copenhagen, Oct. 21, 1802; died there March 24, 1866. He was the son of a merchant, Jacob Levin Ballin, and his wife, Susanne Melchior.His parents died early, and he was brought up by his uncle L. S. Trier, whose daughter Dorothea later became his wife. Until 1820 he attended the Borgerdykskols in Copenhagen, when he entered the university, where he passed the medical examination in 1826. For some years he was assistant physician at the Frederik's Hospital in Copenhagen, and took an active part in founding the society of physicians called "Philiatrien," 1829. From 1831 to 1832 he traveled, by royal order, in foreign countries, studying the Asiatic cholera; and after his return published a valuable dissertation on this subject for the degree of licentiate. In 1836 he took the degree of M.D., and after that practised medicine in Copenhagen, at the same time holding the public position of district physician. Later he was appointed parish physician of the Jewish community in Copenhagen, and held that position for a number of years. In 1853, during the cholera epidemic in Copenhagen, he became chief physician of the cholera hospital and a member of the board of health, receiving also the title of professor.
Besides Ballin's extensive practise as physician and his activity for the advancement of the science of medicine, he took an active part in the political and national movements of his time. He was a member of the National Liberal Party and was enthusiastic for the then prevailing idea of a Scandinavian union (Scandinavism).
- Bricka, Dansk Biografish Lexikon.
