Ernst Bergmann Surgeon, founder of asepsis Date of Birth: 16.12.1836 Country: Germany

Biography of Ernst Bergmann

Ernst von Bergmann was a German surgeon and the founder of aseptic surgery. He was also known for his contributions to neurosurgery and military field surgery. Born on December 16, 1836, in Riga, Bergmann grew up in a family of a pastor, Richard von Bergmann, and Berta Kruger.

After completing his schooling, Bergmann attended the University of Tartu from 1854 to 1860. Upon graduation, he became an assistant at the surgical clinic of the University of Tartu under the supervision of his future father-in-law, Georg Adelmann. During the Prusso-Austrian War (1866) and the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), Bergmann served as a military physician in the Prussian army. He also worked as a physician in the Russian army during the Russo-Turkish War (1877).

In 1871, Bergmann became a professor of surgery at the University of Tartu. He later held positions as a professor at the University of Würzburg starting in 1878. It was during his time in Würzburg that he mentored the renowned physician and teacher of Harvey Cushing, William Halsted. In 1882, Bergmann became a professor and chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Berlin, a position he held until his death in 1907.

Bergmann made significant contributions to medicine, particularly in the treatment of knee joint injuries. He introduced a new method of wound dressing and splinting, which significantly reduced mortality rates in patients with knee joint injuries. Bergmann's work on knee joint injuries was published in 1878 as "Die Behandlung der Schusswunden des Kniegelenkes im Kriege" (The Treatment of Gunshot Wounds of the Knee Joint in War).

Alongside his English colleague Morell Mackenzie and his student Friedrich von Bramann, Bergmann served as the attending physician for the Prussian King and German Emperor Friedrich III, who died of throat cancer. Bergmann was also a member of the German Surgical Society from 1884 until his death and played a prominent role in the organization. He established the publication of the medical education newspaper "Zeitschrift für ärztliche Fortbildung" (Journal of Medical Education), which still exists today.

In addition to his contributions in general surgery, Bergmann made significant advancements in neurosurgery. His book "The Study of Head Injuries" described various types of cranial and brain injuries, ranging from birth trauma to gunshot wounds. He dedicated 206 pages of the German edition to fractures of the cranial vault and base, as well as traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas.

Bergmann's treatment recommendations for head injuries focused on preventing post-traumatic meningitis, which he considered the most common cause of death in such patients. He advocated for silk suturing and the application of antiseptic dressings for soft tissue head injuries. Post-traumatic brain abscesses were to be operated on, and Bergmann preferred trepanation using a drill. His book also provided detailed descriptions of surgical instruments, including trephines, various saws, and more.

Ernst von Bergmann's contributions to medicine and surgery were significant, establishing him as a pioneer in aseptic surgery and a notable figure in the field of neurosurgery. He passed away in 1907, leaving behind a lasting impact on the medical community.