Bergmann

Bergmann, Ernst (Ernst Bergmann, 1836-1907), noted German surgeon. After graduating from the University of Dorpat, he was an assistant in the surgical clinic, then a professor at the same university until 1878. For a short time he was a professor in Würzburg, and in 1882 (after Langenbeck's departure) he was elected professor at the University of Berlin. In his capacity as consulting surgeon, he participated in the Franco-Prussian and Russo-Turkish wars, when he gained extensive experience in field surgery. Bergmann applied this experience in peacetime as founder of the society for emergency aid in Berlin. While interested in and studying all branches of surgery, Bergmann paid special attention to the treatment of wounds, and taking into account the harmful aspects of Lister's 'carbolic spray', he developed a new method of wound treatment, which he published in 1891 (Schimmelbusch, Die Durchfuhrung der Asepsis in der Klinik des Herrn Geheimrat v. Bergmann in Berlin, 1891). Bergmann's works on skull surgery are classical, particularly in the area of gunshot wounds to the skull. Being one of the greatest surgeons of his time, Bergmann followed with unwavering attention and interest the development of all branches of medicine and natural sciences. The Berlin Medical Society elected him its president after the death of R. Virchow. Bergmann was one of the three founders of the renowned manual 'Handbuch der praktischen Chirurgie v. Bergmann E., Bruns P. u. Mikulicz J.' For many years Bergmann was an active member of the editorial boards of 'Centralblatt f. Chirurgie', 'Archiv fur klinische Chirurgie' and co-editor of many surgical and general medical publications. He was elected president of the German Surgical Society. Bergmann's main works: 'Zur Lehre von der putriden Intoxikation' (Deutsche Zeitschrift fur Chirurgie, 1872); 'Die Lehre von den Kopfverletzungero' (Pitha F. u. Billroth Ch., Handbuch d. allgemeinen und speziellen Chirurgie, B. III, Erlangen-Stuttgart, 1873; Deutsche Chirurgie- 1880); 'Uber die Resultate d. Gelenkresek-tionen im Kriege', Giessen (1874); 'Die Be-handlung der Schusswunden des Kniegelenks im Kriege', Stuttgart (1878), and many others. Some of Bergmann's works are available in Russian. - Bergmann operation, see Hydrocele.