[Michał Kazimierz Radziwiłł (1702-1762) - a psychological portrayal]

This treatise, a psycho-physical portrayal of M. K. Radziwiłł "Rybeńko", is divided into three subject areas. The first describes his health, the second examines the dominant factors affecting his physical condition, and the third discusses his dominant personality and character traits. All the afflictions and illnesses which M. K. Radzwiłł suffered in his lifetime have been divided into incidental illnesses (e.g. infections of and conditions affecting the upper airways), and chronic diseases. Between 1720 and 1762, "Rybeńko" contracted 65 illnesses which may be diagnosed as infections of the airways. e.g. influenza and angina. He died as a result of complications from a cold contracted earlier. Radziwiłł was also tormented with chronic diseases, whose symptoms he described in a diary which survives to this day, and in correspondence which is kept at the Main Archives for Old Files. Radziwiłł was a man of average intellect, an egocentric and a snob, at the same time as which he was single-minded and magnanimous. Nevertheless, in fundamental issues he was capable of being resolute. He was fervently religious, generally cheerful, fond of entertainment and keen on hunting. As a hetman, "Rybeńko" was a parody of a military leader, with no talent whatsover. At the same time he was an honest and principle-minded figure to such a degree that he was an exception to the generally corrupt and morally abject elites of Poland in the 18th century.