Abstract
Richard von Volkmann (1830-1889), an outstanding German surgeon who spent his career at the University of Halle, contributed significantly to the development of surgery both in Germany and worldwide. In practical terms, his contribution included primarily the introduction of antisepsis (1872) which allowed development of surgeries which were until then considered to be high-risk or even unfeasible.
He was one of the first to show that open fractures may be successfully treated without amputation (1873) and the first to describe in detail the compartment syndrome (1881). He also dealt with bone growth and he formulated the so-called Hueter-Volkmann Law (1869).
Von Volkmann was important as an organiser as well, as he played an important role in founding of the German Society of Surgery (1872). Last but not least, his role as a teacher was of no lesser significance than any of the formerly mentioned achievements - he educated a number of outstanding pupils, who further developed his life's works.