Ita Wegman and Karl König

Peter Selg was born in Stuttgart in 1963. He studied medicine in Zurich and Berlin. Until 2000 he worked as the head physician of the child and juvenile psychiatry department of Herdecke hospital in Germany. He now works as a youth psychiatrist at the Ita Wegman Clinic in Arlesheim, Switzerland, lectures extensively and is the author of numerous books. He is married with three children. Karl König (1902-66) was well-known as a physician, author and lecturer. He began his work at the Institute of Embryology at the University of Vienna. In 1940 he founded the Camphill Movement in Scotland. Based on Rudolf Steiner's insights into human development, the special education schools for children and villages for adults with special needs are now established in many parts of the world. Ita Wegman (1876-1943) was, along with Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophical medicine. In 1921 she founded the first anthroposophical clinic in Arlesheim, Switzerland. She developed many alternative therapies, including rhythmic massage.

'There is a good selection of correspondence between Wegman and König which, together with the meticulous footnotes, complement the essay by Selg perfectly...It is fascinating to read how König, Wegman and others continued in their efforts to set up organisations and methods, despite the chaotic unfolding of the world historic events that were breaking upon them in mighty waves.'-- Journal for Curative Education and Social Therapy, Spring 2009