Richard von Volkmann (1830-1889) was appointed senior consultant of the University Surgical Hospital in Halle at the young age of 36. On returning home from the war of 1870/1871, he saw traumatic fever rampant in his hospital. He became a rigorous advocate of Lister's method of antisepsis. There were a large number of very serious accidents in the up-coming industrial town of Halle. Acute and chronic inflammation of the joint led to severe disfigurements. By invention of large reconstructive operations von Volkmann was able to obtain impressive results. He was the founder of traumatology and orthopaedic surgery. Tuberculosis was regarded at that time as the most common cause of death. By means of surgery certain forms of the illness could be cured. Tuberculous coxitis and gonarthritis were the most common indications for orthopaedic surgery. Von Volkmann used his distraction method for tuberculous spondylitis.Many terms used in medical practice derive from Richard von Volkmann. He described Volkmann's triangle, ischaemic muscle contractures and resorption fever. He developed a whole range of new methods of surgical procedures and the concept of wound drainage. His name is associated with Volkmann's splint, Volkmann's "sharp spoon" and several other inventions. Richard von Volkmann was one of the founders of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chirurgie (German Surgical Society). His famous Träumereien an französischen Kaminen ("Reveries at French Firesides"), an anthology of fairy-tales for his children, played an important role in his life's work.