Shmidt, Aleksandr

(also Alexander Schmidt). Born May 15 (27), 1831, on the island of Mukhu; died Apr. 10 (22), 1894, in the city of Iur’ev, now Tartu. Russian physiologist.

Shmidt graduated from the University of Dorpat in 1858 and began teaching there in 1862, becoming a professor of physiology in 1869. From 1876 to 1879 he served as dean of the university’s medical faculty and from 1885 to 1890, as the university’s rector. Shmidt’s works dealt mainly with hematology, for example, respiratory functions of the blood and oxidative processes. Shmidt devoted considerable attention to blood coagulation and formulated the enzymatic theory of blood coagulation, investigating the function of leukocytes, cellular proteins, and other substances involved in the process. He isolated thrombin from blood serum.