August Gottlieb Richter

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August Gottlieb Richter (April 13, 1742 - July 23, 1812) was a German surgeon who was born near Leipzig. He received his doctorate from Göttingen in 1764, and spent most of his career in Göttingen as a professor and surgeon.

Richter is largely known for his written works, including the 7-volume surgical publication Anfangsgründe der Wundarzneykunst. From 1771 until 1797 he was editor of a surgical journal titled Chiurgische Bibliothek. Richter did extensive research in the field of ophthalmology, and in 1791 published an influential treatise on cataract extraction.

The eponymous Richter's hernia was first described by him. This disorder is a strangulated hernia in which only part of the circumference of the bowel wall is affected. With this type of hernia there is an absence of intestinal blockage.

Reference:

• Who Named It?; August Gottlieb Richter