Konstantin Klementyevich Skrobansky

SKROBANSKY, Konstantin Klementyevich (born 1874), a prominent Russian gynecologist, professor of obstetrics and women's diseases at the Leningrad Medical Institute. He graduated from the Military Medical Academy in 1898 and, from the moment of his graduation, worked in the obstetric-gynecological clinic, primarily under the guidance of Academician G. E. Rein. In 1901, he defended his dissertation ("On the Question of the Healing of Certain Ovarian Wounds"), received the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and from 1902 to 1904, he was on an assignment abroad, working scientifically and practically in the laboratories and clinics of Germany; in 1905, he became a privat-docent and, in addition to lecturing, worked in the surgical department of the Maria Magdalena Hospital and managed the XV City Maternity Shelter. In 1912, he was elected to a chair at Saratov University but was not confirmed by the Minister of Public Education; in the same year, he was again elected professor at the former Women's Medical Institute and has headed this chair to the present time. In recent years, he has also directed the large Schroeder Maternity Hospital and the clinic of the newly organized Leningrad Regional Institute for the Protection of Motherhood and Infancy (Okhmatmlad). Skrobansky has written more than 50 scientific works, many of which are known abroad. From a whole series of experimental and pathological-anatomical studies, his investigations and experiments on the ovary (the aforementioned dissertation, the production of ovariotoxic serum in 1904, work on changes in the ovaries during various acute infections, etc.) are considered especially valuable, in which Skrobansky first drew attention to the enormous role of the internal secretion of the ovary, in particular the corpus luteum. Also deserving of attention are his works on eclampsia (experiments with placental emulsion, which was awarded a prize), cesarean section, osteomalacia, hyperemesis, diabetes, anesthesia, and a number of works on malignant formations and measures for public combat against them. Skrobansky takes an active part in public life. For example, he participated in the organization of the first society for the fight against cancer diseases, the convening of the 1st congress, and the editing of its proceedings; much labor has also been devoted by Skrobansky to issues of obstetric care—its organization and measures for rationalization. Skrobansky also contributed much to raising the level of teaching in higher medical schools and to organizing academic life, especially during his tenure as rector of the Medical Institute. Skrobansky is an editor and co-editor of many periodicals and a co-editor of the Great Medical Encyclopedia. Skrobansky is a full honorary member of many scientific societies, a member of the permanent board of the All-Union Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and takes an active part in the organization and conduct of all-union congresses, at which he has been repeatedly elected to the honorary presidium.