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HISTORY HISTORY

use of soapsuds and became a trailblazer in antiseptic surgery.1 During Throughout his 60-year career, Dr. Ferdinand Ludwig Herff worked
Dr. Ferdinand Ludwig Herff: a time where surgeons washed their hands solely after an operation tirelessly to amplify the standards of medical practice to what they are

today. His impact serves as an exemplary example of innovation, perse-
rather than before, his hygiene regimen was revolutionary and yielded
A True Pioneer a high surgical survival rate. verance and compassion. Dr. Herff’s impact remains hugely significant,
establishing him as a pillar of the San Antonio community. His legacy
Dr. Herff was able to evolve the local mindset to view surgery in a
positive light, and soon his waiting room was consistently filled with will be eternally celebrated by both the Bexar County Medical Society
patients eager to meet him. Not only was Dr. Herff notable for his and medical history.
By Gabriella Bradberry
surgical successes, his compassion for the less fortunate had patients
In 1850, German physician, Ferdinand Ludwig Herff, immigrated to flocking from as far as 100 miles to receive lifesaving treatment.2 References:
San Antonio, Texas, where he would establish himself as one of the most Although he treated many notable patients, he was recognized for 1. Herff, PF. (1973). San Antonio. In L.L. Barder (Ed.). The
significant medical pioneers in Texas history. Throughout his 60-year his great servitude for the indigent. For many years, Dr. Herff was Doctors Herff: A Three Generation Memoir (Vol I, pp. 34-46).
career, Dr. Herff built a legacy trademarked by a myriad of surgical feats, unwilling to place monetary values on his services, accepting only the Trinity University Press
the establishment of medical practices and organizations, and his role occasional quarter for treatment. While he eventually had to estab- 2. Belasco, J. (2015, Mar 2). Herff had major impact on local health
as a civic leader. lish proper billing to support his practice and family, his lasting spirit care. San Antonio Express-News. https://www.expressnews.
Dr. Herff’s historic chronicle began in 1820 Germany, his birth- of humanitarianism remained well-known.1 It was reported in 1886 com/150years/education-health/article/Dr-Ferdinand-Herff-
place and the setting of his adolescence. It was there that he received his that Dr. Herff went on to perform approximately 12 percent of major had-major-impact-on-local-6103351.php
education, studying under influential medical scientists, observing and operations in Texas.2 3. Herff, P. III. (2023, May 11). The Herff Legacy. (Newson, M. &
learning techniques that would soon fuel his own innovations. In 1843, The achievements of Dr. Herff stemmed far beyond the sur- Vela, B.) [Personal communications]
he demonstrated dexterity for treating tuberculosis and amputations as gical accomplishments within his individual practice. In 1853, 4. Stembridge, VA. (2019, Oct 24). Herff, Ferdinand Ludwig. Texas
a surgeon in the Hessian Army. Eventually in 1847, the political climate Dr. Herff would become a charter member in the founding of the State Historical Association Online. https://www.tshaonline.
in Germany urged Dr. Herff to relocate to new frontiers; thus, he began Bexar County Medical Society and Texas Medical Association. He org/handbook/entries/herff-ferdinand-ludwig
his career as a medical pioneer in San Antonio, Texas. would go on to help establish other medical organizations, serve
Long before the days of modern advancements and urban develop- on the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, and function as
ment, San Antonio did not boast the major hospital systems it has today, an instrumental component in the establishment of San Antonio’s Gabriella Bradberry is the Admin/Communication Specialist
and surgical operations were not yet common practice in Texas. As a first hospital.4 for the Bexar County Medical Society.
result of this early stage of medical evolution, many Texans were fear-
ful of surgical intervention, much to the distress of doctors and patients
alike.1 Nonetheless, Dr. Herff knew an able surgeon such as himself
could save countless lives and continued the pursuit to help all he could.
Prior to today, doctors did not dedicate their careers to a singular
Dr. Ferdinand Ludwig Herff, 1820 – 1912
specialty. Dr. Herff was a prime example of this, essentially practicing
Courtesy of Patrick Heath Public Library
everything that piqued his interest. As a result, his surgical resume is
filled with feats from many different medical areas such as reconstructive the unfavorable conditions, Dr. Herff ultimately was able to restore
plastic surgery, ophthalmology, gynecology and beyond. the formerly blind chief ’s vision. Years later, this achievement would
Dr. Herff’s career was filled with many firsts. He was one of the first be further recognized and honored by Lipan warriors. Despite invad-
surgeons in the United States to successfully perform a hysterectomy, ing neighboring land, the warriors shot an arrow with a white feather
execute an appendectomy, recognize hookworm, and perform vision-re- onto Dr. Herff ’s property as a testament of continuous great respect
pairing cataract operations.2 Not only did he perform surgeries from for the doctor.2
expansive areas of medicine, but his operations also took place at any Such respected operations granted Dr. Herff a reputation that pre-
available location; due to necessity and lack of operating rooms, Dr. ceded him. At the beginning of Dr. Herff ’s Texas medical career, he
Herff was known to perform surgery in patients’ homes, out in the open had to fight local superstitions that viewed hospitals solely as a place
public, and even famously, the Menger Hotel lobby. to die rather than receive treatment. What made Dr. Herff stand out
One of his most notable accomplishments occurred during as an agent of change and gain public trust was his high success rate. Dr. Herff (standing second from
an operation in front of the San Fernando Cathedral.3 Onlookers During Dr. Herff ’s time working for the Hessian army, he was able left) in surgery with his son,
watched as Dr. Herff performed a cataract removal operation on a to observe correlations between surgical sanitation and lowered rate John (standing fourth from left).
Courtesy of “The Boerne Book” by
Lipan Apache chief as his assistants fanned away flies. Undeterred by of patient infection. As a result, Dr. Herff was known for his copious Brent Evans.

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