Karl Otto Weber
Encyclopedia
Karl Otto Weber was a German surgeon
and pathologist born in Frankfurt am Main.
at Bremen
which his father directed. There Weber showed a special interest in the natural sciences, and in 1846, when he went on to the University of Bonn
, he studied botany
, geology
and mineralogy
with an emphasis on paleontological botany. As a student at Bonn, he was a member of the Burschenschaft
Franconia, which at that time also included Carl Schurz
, Johannes Overbeck
, Julius Schmidt
, Friedrich Spielhagen, Ludwig Meyer
and Adolf Strodtmann
. In 1851, he received a degree of doctor of medicine and surgery from Bonn. After passing his state exam in 1852, he left for a study trip, most of which was spent in Paris
.
In the winter of 1852/53, he became an assistant doctor in the Bonn surgery clinic of Karl Wilhelm Wutzer. Weber remained there for a full four years. During the last part of his stay, he enjoyed a large degree of independence due to the failing eyesight of Wutzer. By 1853, Weber was a Privatdocent in surgery, and zealously pursuing studies in pathological anatomy. After Wutzer retired in 1855, Wutzer's place was taken by Busch in 1856 and Weber assisted him for a year. The faculty of Bonn recommended that Weber devote himself to a specialization in pathological anatomy which at that point was not represented among their specialties, and in 1857 he was named extraordinary professor in that specialty, becoming an ordinary professor in 1862.
In 1865, Weber became professor of surgery at the University of Heidelberg. There he vigorously involved himself in the construction of a hospital in Heidelberg-Bergheim
. He died in Heidelberg
at the age of 39 from diphtheria
.
As a pathological anatomist, Weber specialized in the fields of histology
and histogenesis
.
s, also taking care of their transfer to the lithographic stone
. Many of his medical articles were published in Pitha
and Bilroth
's Handbuch der allgemeinen und speciellen Chirurgie. He was the author of the following books:
Weber also published in the areas of history and biography. In the Preußischen Jahrbüchern he published the essays: “Johannes Müller
,” “Alexander von Humboldt und sein Einfluß auf die Naturwissenschaft” (Alexander von Humboldt
and his influence on natural science), an obituary for Karl Wilhelm Wutzer, and also “Ueber die Anfänge der pathologische Anatomie” (On the beginnings of pathological anatomy) and “Die Bedeutung der pathologische Anatomie für die medicinische Wissenschaft und Praxis” (The significance of pathological anatomy for the theory and practice of medicine).
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
and pathologist born in Frankfurt am Main.
Biography
He received his early education in the gymnasiumGymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
at Bremen
Bremen
The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser, Bremen is part of the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan area . Bremen is the second most populous city in North Germany and tenth in Germany.Bremen is...
which his father directed. There Weber showed a special interest in the natural sciences, and in 1846, when he went on to the University of Bonn
University of Bonn
The University of Bonn is a public research university located in Bonn, Germany. Founded in its present form in 1818, as the linear successor of earlier academic institutions, the University of Bonn is today one of the leading universities in Germany. The University of Bonn offers a large number...
, he studied botany
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
, geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
and mineralogy
Mineralogy
Mineralogy is the study of chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation, classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization.-History:Early writing...
with an emphasis on paleontological botany. As a student at Bonn, he was a member of the Burschenschaft
Burschenschaft
German Burschenschaften are a special type of Studentenverbindungen . Burschenschaften were founded in the 19th century as associations of university students inspired by liberal and nationalistic ideas.-History:-Beginnings 1815–c...
Franconia, which at that time also included Carl Schurz
Carl Schurz
Carl Christian Schurz was a German revolutionary, American statesman and reformer, and Union Army General in the American Civil War. He was also an accomplished journalist, newspaper editor and orator, who in 1869 became the first German-born American elected to the United States Senate.His wife,...
, Johannes Overbeck
Johannes Overbeck
Johannes Adolph Overbeck was a German archaeologist and art historian.-Biography:Overbeck was born in Antwerp. He was son-in-law to zoologist Georg August Goldfuss , and was father-in-law to anthropologist Emil Ludwig Schmidt . His uncle was famed painter Friedrich Overbeck .In 1848 Overbeck...
, Julius Schmidt
Johann Friedrich Julius Schmidt
Johann Friedrich Julius Schmidt was a German astronomer and geophysicist.-Biography:...
, Friedrich Spielhagen, Ludwig Meyer
Ludwig Meyer
Ludwig Meyer was a German psychiatrist born in Bielefeld.In 1852 he obtained his medical doctorate from the University of Berlin, afterwards working as an assistant at Charité Hospital. Later he worked as a doctor at the insane asylum in Schwetz, and in 1856 was appointed chief physician at the...
and Adolf Strodtmann
Adolf Strodtmann
Adolf Heinrich Strodtmann was a German poet, journalist, translator and literary historian. He wrote an early biography of Heinrich Heine and emigrated to the United States for a time.-Biography:...
. In 1851, he received a degree of doctor of medicine and surgery from Bonn. After passing his state exam in 1852, he left for a study trip, most of which was spent in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
In the winter of 1852/53, he became an assistant doctor in the Bonn surgery clinic of Karl Wilhelm Wutzer. Weber remained there for a full four years. During the last part of his stay, he enjoyed a large degree of independence due to the failing eyesight of Wutzer. By 1853, Weber was a Privatdocent in surgery, and zealously pursuing studies in pathological anatomy. After Wutzer retired in 1855, Wutzer's place was taken by Busch in 1856 and Weber assisted him for a year. The faculty of Bonn recommended that Weber devote himself to a specialization in pathological anatomy which at that point was not represented among their specialties, and in 1857 he was named extraordinary professor in that specialty, becoming an ordinary professor in 1862.
In 1865, Weber became professor of surgery at the University of Heidelberg. There he vigorously involved himself in the construction of a hospital in Heidelberg-Bergheim
Heidelberg-Bergheim
Bergheim is a city district of Heidelberg. It is bounded on the North by the Neckar River, the East by the Bismarkplatz, on the South by the Kurfürsten Anlage and the South by the city line. It is a mostly urban residential area, however the Bergheim Campus of the University of Heidelberg has...
. He died in Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
at the age of 39 from diphtheria
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an upper respiratory tract illness caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a facultative anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium. It is characterized by sore throat, low fever, and an adherent membrane on the tonsils, pharynx, and/or nasal cavity...
.
As a pathological anatomist, Weber specialized in the fields of histology
Histology
Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...
and histogenesis
Histogenesis
Histogenesis is the formation of different tissues from undifferentiated cells. These cells are constituents of three primary germ layers, the endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm...
.
Works
Weber was diligent about writing up the results of his studies. He was also a good draftsman and did his own drawingDrawing
Drawing is a form of visual art that makes use of any number of drawing instruments to mark a two-dimensional medium. Common instruments include graphite pencils, pen and ink, inked brushes, wax color pencils, crayons, charcoal, chalk, pastels, markers, styluses, and various metals .An artist who...
s, also taking care of their transfer to the lithographic stone
Lithographic Limestone
Lithographic limestone is hard limestone that is sufficiently fine-grained, homogeneous and defect free to be used for lithography. Geologists use the term lithographic texture to refer to a grain size under 1/250 mm...
. Many of his medical articles were published in Pitha
Franz von Pitha
Franz von Pitha was an Austrian surgeon who was a native of Rakom, a village near Klatovy, Bohemia....
and Bilroth
Theodor Billroth
Christian Albert Theodor Billroth was a German-born Austrian surgeon and amateur musician....
's Handbuch der allgemeinen und speciellen Chirurgie. He was the author of the following books:
- Die Knochengeschwülste in anatomischer und praktischer Beziehung (1856)
- Chirurgische Erfahrungen und Untersuchungen (1859)
Weber also published in the areas of history and biography. In the Preußischen Jahrbüchern he published the essays: “Johannes Müller
Johannes Peter Müller
Johannes Peter Müller , was a German physiologist, comparative anatomist, and ichthyologist not only known for his discoveries but also for his ability to synthesize knowledge.-Early years and education:...
,” “Alexander von Humboldt und sein Einfluß auf die Naturwissenschaft” (Alexander von Humboldt
Alexander von Humboldt
Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander Freiherr von Humboldt was a German naturalist and explorer, and the younger brother of the Prussian minister, philosopher and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt...
and his influence on natural science), an obituary for Karl Wilhelm Wutzer, and also “Ueber die Anfänge der pathologische Anatomie” (On the beginnings of pathological anatomy) and “Die Bedeutung der pathologische Anatomie für die medicinische Wissenschaft und Praxis” (The significance of pathological anatomy for the theory and practice of medicine).