Bernhard von Langenbeck facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernhard von Langenbeck
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 11 September 1810 Padingbüttel, Germany
|
| Died | 29 September 1887 (aged 77) Wiesbaden, Germany
|
| Medical career | |
| Profession | Surgeon |
Bernhard Rudolf Konrad von Langenbeck was a very important German surgeon. He lived from 1810 to 1887. He is famous for developing a special type of surgery called Langenbeck's amputation. He also started a well-known medical journal. This journal is still important today for surgeons.
Contents
Becoming a Surgeon
Bernhard von Langenbeck was born in a place called Padingbüttel, Germany. He studied medicine at the University of Göttingen. His uncle, Konrad Johann Martin Langenbeck, was one of his teachers. In 1835, he finished his studies. He wrote a special paper about the eye's retina.
A Busy Career
After traveling to France and England, Langenbeck returned to Göttingen. He became a private teacher there. In 1842, he became a professor of surgery. He also became the director of a hospital in Kiel. Six years later, he moved to Berlin. He took over a big surgical and eye clinic at the Charité hospital. He worked there until 1882. He had to retire because he was not well.
Surgery During Wartime
Langenbeck was a very brave and skilled surgeon. He was especially good at treating injuries from guns. He helped soldiers during several wars. These included the First Schleswig War in 1848. He also served in the Second Schleswig War in 1864. For his great work, he was given a special honor. He also helped in the Austro-Prussian War in 1866. Later, he served in the Franco-Prussian War from 1870 to 1871.
During these wars, he worked hard to help wounded soldiers. He treated many injured men in public buildings. He also used these times to teach other surgeons. He even started a medical group that met often. Surgeons from all countries were welcome to join.
A Kind Approach
At a big meeting called the Geneva International Convention, Langenbeck shared an important idea. He agreed with the German Emperor's words. The Emperor said, "a wounded enemy is no more an enemy, but a comrade needing help." This shows that Langenbeck believed in helping everyone, no matter who they were.
Teaching New Doctors
Bernhard von Langenbeck is sometimes called the "father of surgical residency." He created a new way to train young doctors. New medical graduates would live at the hospital. They would slowly take on more responsibility. They would help care for and watch over surgical patients.
Some of his most famous students were Theodor Billroth and Emil Theodor Kocher. This way of teaching was very successful. Even famous doctors like Sir William Osler and William Halsted used his ideas. They brought his training system to the Johns Hopkins Hospital in America.
Bernhard von Langenbeck passed away in Wiesbaden in September 1887. His ideas and teaching methods are still important in medicine today.
