Richard von Volkmann papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS 2/227

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of letters received by Richard von Volkmann and one letter sent by him. The letters, spanning 1867 to 1889, cover the last twenty years of Volkmann's life, when he had achieved international fame and recognition. The correspondents in the collection are notable physicians, surgeons, and professors from Germany, England, France, Russia, and the United States. Most of the letters are written in German; some are written in French and English. English transcripts are provided for all of the letters.

Much of the correspondence pertains to Volkmann's "Collection of Clinical Lectures". The correspondents discuss essays they are preparing for publication, many of which pertain to Joseph Lister's antiseptic wound treatment. Other letters discuss the preparation of papers for the yearly meeting or "Congress" of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Chirurgie (German Surgical Society). Some of the correspondents discuss various surgical techniques, request personal or professional advice from Volkmann, or ask if they may visit him and observe his work at the clinic in Halle, Germany.

One letter in the collection (28 June 1889) was written by Volkmann just a few months before his death; in this letter, he addresses Henry T. Butlin's queries concerning the relationship between tar and paraffin cancer and "Chimney Sweeper's Cancer".

The correspondents in the collection include: Adolf Bardeleben, Ernst von Bergmann, Wilhelm Busch, Henry T. Butlin, Henry W. Farnam, Werner Hagedorn, A. Hegar, Hjalmar Heiberg, C. Hueter, Theodor Kocher, Leon Labbe, Bernhard von Langenbeck, H. Maas, W. Manassein, Albert Mosetig Moorhof, Felix von Niemeyer, J. N. Nussbaum, Auguste Reverdin, J. L. Reverdin, Carl Reyher, Gustav Simon, Carl Thiersch, Sir Patrick Heron Watson, Spencer Wells, and C. A. Wunderlich. Detailed biographical information about each correspondent is contained in the collection folder.

Two of the letters in the collection, written by W. Manassein (1867 Aug. 9/21) and Carl Reyher (1876 Jan. 16/28) provide two dates of composition, one date reflecting the regular or Gregorian calendar and the other the old style or Julian calendar, used in Russia until 1918. Nineteen of the letters in this collection were published in Volume 43 (1939) and Volume 45 (1941) of Janus, archives internationales pour l'histoire de la Medecine et la geographie medicale. Ten of the letters remain unpublished.

Dates

1867 - 1889

Creator

Volkmann, Richard von (Person)

Biographical / Historical

The renowned surgeon Richard von Volkmann was born in Leipzig, Germany, on 17 August 1830. Volkmann studied at Halle and Giessen, and he received his medical degree in Berlin in 1854. In 1857 he established a successful private practice in Halle. Volkmann returned to academia in 1863 and two years later published his famous work, "Bone and Joint Diseases". This work brought Volkmann international recognition and acclaim. In 1867, he became a Professor of Surgery and the Director of the Surgical Clinic in Halle.

In 1870, Volkmann began editing "Collection of Clinical Lectures". Contributing physicians and professors addressed many of the controversial medical topics of the time, including Joseph Lister's theory on antiseptic wound treatment. Also in 1870, Volkmann was called to serve in the Prussian French War. As a field physician, Volkmann utilized the latest surgical practices, including the techniques recommended by Lister. Surgeons from all over the world came to observe Volkmann at work.

Shortly after the war, in 1872, Volkmann, Gustav Simon, and Bernhard von Langenbeck formed the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Chirurgie (German Surgical Society). Over the years, Volkmann's international reputation continued to grow; his advice was sought by surgeons in Europe, England, and the United States. In 1879, he established a new clinic in Halle which became a center of surgical instruction in Europe. As his professional career progressed, Volkmann still had time to write fiction and poetry under the pseudonym Richard Leander.

In 1885, Volkmann was ennobled by the old German Emperor. Four years later, on 28 November 1889, Richard von Volkmann died of chronic spinal disease in Jena, Germany.

Extent

6 folders (29 items)

Language of Materials

German

Additional Description

Custodial History

This collection of letters received by Richard von Volkmann was donated to the Historical Collections of the Library of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia by Fritz T. Callomon, on 16 July 1954.

The collection was processed and cataloged in 1991.