Richard von Volkmann

Richard von Volkmann (1830 - 1889), was a prominent German surgeon.

He was born in Leipzig in 1830, the son of A.W. Volkmann. Richard entered medical school in Berlin and graduated in 1854. In 1867 he was appointed Professor of Surgery and Director of the Surgical Clinic at Halle where he remained until retirement.

Achievements

• Performed the first excision of carcinoma of the rectum in 1878.
• Described Volkmann's Ischaemic Contracture in 1881.
• Devised a splint and a spoon which bear his name.
• His treatment of articular tuberculosis heralded attempts at preventive surgery.
• In 1894 he described three patients with scrotal cancer who worked with paraffin and tar.
• He was an early supporter of Joseph Lister, and helped the introduction of antiseptic surgery throughout Germany.

References

• B.G. Firkin & J.A.Whitworth (1987). Dictionary of Medical Eponyms. Parthenon Publishing. ISBN 1-85070-333-7