Alexander Babukhin

BABUKHIN, Alexander Ivanovich, a well-known Russian histologist (1827–1891). Upon graduating from Moscow University in 1859, he served as a prosector, first in the Department of Comparative Anatomy, and then in Physiology. In 1862, after defending his dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Medicine on a physiological topic, he was sent abroad, working in Würzburg under the famous Heinrich Müller, choosing one of the most difficult topics (on the development of the eye), and later in Leipzig under Ludwig and in Vienna under Brücke. Babukhin's return to Moscow coincided with the establishment of independent departments of histology in Russia; in 1869 Babukhin was appointed ordinary professor to the Department of Histology and Embryology, which he held until his death. In Stricker's classic handbook on histology, Babukhin wrote the chapters on the crystalline lens and the organ of smell. Mention should be made of Babukhin's work on the microscope, its theory, and optical research methods; upon Babukhin's instructions, the Hartnack firm manufactured a large microscope stand (the Babukhin stand), which made it easy to perform the finest observations. The histological laboratory established by Babukhin at Moscow University was excellently equipped optically and for a long time served as the only school of scientific microscopy in Russia. In 1887, Babukhin established one of the first bacteriological laboratories attached to the histological laboratory, taking an active part, together with his staff, in the commission to develop measures against anthrax. As a teacher Babukhin, despite flaws in his diction, enjoyed great popularity; his first lecture, devoted to some general philosophical question, was usually attended by students of all faculties. A characteristic feature of Babukhin was, on the one hand, a deep faith in natural science and its omnipotence, and on the other, a critical and even skeptical attitude toward a number of modern scientific theories; he mercilessly debunked even universally recognized authorities before his audience. As a true son of the 1860s, Babukhin (along with Sechenov) contributed immensely to the implantation of the materialistic philosophy of natural science in Russia; this constitutes his great social significance. Lively scientific work was always underway in Babukhin's laboratory, and a number of dissertations emerged from it. Among Babukhin's closest disciples, mention should be made of Professors I. F. Ognev, his successor to the chair, P. I. Mitrofanov, A. P. Gubarev, and A. A. Kolosov. Principal works of Babukhin: On the relation of the vagus nerve to the heart, diss., Moscow, 1862; On the development and significance of the electric apparatus in Torpedo, "Proceedings of the 2nd Congress of Russian Naturalists", 1869; Die Linse (Stricker, Handbuch d. Gewebelehre, 1870); Beitrage z. Entwicklungsgeschichte des Auges, besonders d. Retina, Würzburger naturwissenschaftliche Zeitschrift, B. LXIV, 1863; Übersicht d. neuen Untersuchungen über Entwicklung, Bau und physiolog. Verhältnisse d. elektrischen u. pseudoelektrischen Organe, Archiv f. Anatomie und Physiologie, 1876; Beobachtungen u. Versuche am Zitterwelse u. Mormyrus des Niles, ibid., 1877; Über die morphologische Zusammensetzung des Axenzylinders, Zentralblatt f. medizinische Wissenschaft, 1878.