Hans Petersen

German anatomist regarded as a pioneer of the "new anatomy" that sought to integrate biological, physiological and functional aspects into the purely morphologically descriptive anatomy. Petersen contributed substantially to the progress of functional anatomy: joint, ligament, vessel wall mechanics, bone refinement, construction and function of elastic and collagen fibres. He developed methods for the production of overview preparations ("Petersen-Einbettung" [Petersen embedding]) and special methods for colouring cell nuclei, connective and bone tissue (Petersen-Färbung [Petersen staining]). His principal work is the textbook of histology and microscopic anatomy: it contains more than 1000 microphotographs of his own preparations; it treats all areas of tissue theory and microscopic anatomy; and it opens up questions on developmental physiology, general biology and cell theory. Petersen was convinced of the benefits of an extended, holistic-functional view of man in a natural environment. Petersen's complete work includes 55 publications and ten manuscripts. He died from anaphylactic shock after an injection of a local anaesthetic on 29 January 1946 in Gmund am Tegernsee, aged 60. Link to Wikipedia biography (German)