Leonid Hirschmann

HIRSCHMANN, Leonid Leopoldovich (1839–1921), professor, a well-known ophthalmologist and public figure-humanist. Upon graduating from the medical faculty of Kharkov University in 1860, Hirschmann set off to complete his education in Germany, where he became captivated by ophthalmology while working under Virchow, Helmholtz, Graefe, Pagenstecher, and others; he published a number of works, among which should be noted: «Materials for the Physiology of Color Vision» (Diss., Kharkov, 1868); «On the Treatment of Trachoma» (Kharkov, 1873); «Zur Lehre von der durch Arzneimittel hervorgerufenen Myosis u. Mydriasis» (Arch. f. Anatomie u. Physiologie, B. XXIX, 1863). Upon returning to Kharkov, after defending his dissertation, Hirschmann began teaching an independent course in ophthalmology—which had previously constituted a part of general surgery—for the first time at Kharkov University, serving as a privatdozent from 1868, as a regular docent from 1870, and as a professor from 1875. It cost Hirschmann great effort to achieve the establishment of a special eye clinic, which was only successfully arranged in 1871 as a small ward attached to the surgical clinic. However, soon thereafter, thanks to his energy and organizational abilities, Hirschmann succeeded in getting a new clinic built, with the funds for constructing the wing housing the clinic's outpatient department personally secured by Hirschmann. As a teacher, Hirschmann distinguished himself by the ability to expound the most difficult sections clearly and simply, and he always sought the connection between the disease of the eye and the entire organism. A disinterested man, a tireless worker who finished his patient receptions deep into the night, Hirschmann attracted patients to Kharkov from the most remote corners of Russia. It suffices to point out that during his lifetime Hirschmann personally examined 1,000,000 patients. In 1905, Hirschmann had to leave his creation—the clinic he founded—and abandon teaching at the university due to a conflict with the rector, who during the disturbances of 1904 dismissed many students without the knowledge of the disciplinary professors' court, of which Hirschmann was the chairman. Responsive to any suffering and need, Hirschmann took an active part in public work: through his initiative, the Kharkov Guardianship Society for the Blind was created; with his direct participation, a huge and magnificent building for the school for the blind was erected, of which Hirschmann served as chairman of the board of trustees for many years; he was the initiator of the student aid fund, chairman of the physicians' mutual aid fund, and so on. The citizens of Kharkov, using funds collected and a plot of land provided free of charge by the city government, erected a monument to Prof. Hirschmann in 1908 in the form of the Hirschmann Eye Hospital, where he worked until the last days of his life.