Volkmann

Volkmann Richard (Richard von Volkmann; 1830-1889), famous German surgeon, one of the first adherents and propagandists of the Listerian (antiseptic) method of treating wounds. He conducted his activities in the university clinics in Halle, where he successively passed through academic degrees from junior assistant to director of the clinic, in which position he remained until his death. One of the most popular and authoritative surgeons of his time, he introduced many new and original methods in the treatment of war wounds (was an active participant in the wars of 1866 and 1870-1871). His wire T-shaped splints are still in use and at least served as a prototype for many modern splints. F. developed and improved the treatment of fractures by traction. He described a number of new disease forms that still bear his name (e.g. caries sicca tbc of the shoulder joint). Being a brilliant technician, thoughtful clinician and interesting lecturer in his specialty, F. in his works constantly tried to illuminate questions of border areas. In 1870 he founded the famous series of monographs 'Sammlung klinischer Vortrage', devoted mainly to internal diseases, surgery and gynecology, and was one of the most active authors of this publication. He wrote a number of works on various departments of clinical surgery, devoting particular attention to bone tbc and generally bone diseases. He devoted much time and love to developing methods of surgical operations, invented a number of instruments that still bear his name (e.g. F.'s sharp curette and others). He was one of the first co-editors of 'Zentralbl. fur Chirurgie' and other journals. In 1872, together with Langenbeck and others, he founded the German Surgical Society, of which he was elected president in 1886 and 1887.