Josef Wilhelm Freiherr von Löschner or in Czech Josef Vilém z Löschneru (May 7, 1809 – April 19, 1888) was an Austrian physician born in Kaaden, Bohemia. In 1834 he received his medical doctorate at Prague

Prague

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...

, and later became a professor at the University of Prague

Charles University in Prague

Charles University in Prague is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic. Founded in 1348, it was the first university in Central Europe and is also considered the earliest German university...

. During 1862-63 he was rector

Rector

The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...

 at the University. From 1865 until 1868 he was personal physician to Franz Joseph I of Austria

Franz Joseph I of Austria

Franz Joseph I or Francis Joseph I was Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, King of Croatia, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Galicia and Lodomeria and Grand Duke of Cracow from 1848 until his death in 1916.In the December of 1848, Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria abdicated the throne as part of...

. A foundation arranged by Löschner resulted in the creation of the Franz Joseph Kinderhospital in Prague.

Löschner is remembered for his work in the field of balneology. He advocated the curative properties of health spas, and wrote numerous articles promoting the spa

Spa

The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...

s of Bohemia

Bohemia

Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...

. These publications were instrumental in making Bohemian spas a popular tourist destination, particularly the resort at Karlsbad

Karlovy Vary

Karlovy Vary is a spa city situated in western Bohemia, Czech Republic, on the confluence of the rivers Ohře and Teplá, approximately west of Prague . It is named after King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who founded the city in 1370...

 which was regularly visited by members of European royalty.

Written works

• Der Gießhübler Sauerbrunn, 1846
• Die Versendung der Karlsbader Mineralquellen, (The Dispatch of the Karlsbad Mineral Springs), 1847
• Das Saidschitzer Bitterwasser, (Bitter waters of Saidschitz
  Sebedín-Becov
  Sebedín-Bečov is a village and municipality in Banská Bystrica District in the Banská Bystrica Region of central Slovakia.-Geography:The municipality lies at an altitude of 365 metres and covers an area of 9.626km². It has a population of about 397 people....
  
  ), 1853
• Der Sauerbrunnen zu Bilin, (Aerated Springs at Bílina
  Bílina
  Bílina is a town in the Teplice District in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic. It is located on the river Bílina. It is known for its comforting and relaxing spas.-Location:...
  
  ), 1859
• Johannisbad im böhmischen Riesengebirge, (Johannisbad in the Riesengebirge Mountains), 1859
• Beiträge zu Balneologie aus den Kurorten Böhmens, (Contributions to Balneology from the health resorts in Bohemia), 1862
• Balneologische Skizze von Tetschen-Bodenbach, (Balneological sketch of Tetschen Bodenbach
  Decín
  Děčín is a town in the Ústí nad Labem Region in the north of the Czech Republic. It is the largest town and administrative seat of the Děčín District.-Geography:...
  
  ), 1862
• Die Eisenwässer von Königswart, (The Ice-Cold Waters of Königswart), 1865
• Teplitz und die benachbarten Kurorte, (Teplitz and neighbouring health resorts), 1867