Bergmann was the first in Germany to undertake an intensive study of the surgical aspects of brain diseases. From his experience as a military surgeon he learned that increased intracranial pressure was a consequence of brain trauma. In his book on brain injuries, Die Lehre von den Kopfverletzungen (1880), he discussed these problems in detail. In this later work on non-traumatic brain diseases Bergmann addressed unsolved problems such as blood loss and brain edema. Second edition, and first edition in book form, Berlin: A. Hirschwald, 1889. Digital facsimile of the 1889 edition from Google Books at this link.

Bergmann was a pioneer in the evolution of asepsis. He gradually merged the corrosive sublimate method of antisepsis into steam sterilization of instruments and dressing material, demonstrating its superiority to chemical antisepsis. He was also an early adopter of the "white coat".

Radical mastoidectomy. (See No. 3392.)