We consider hermitian dissipative mappings δ which are densely defined in unital C ∗-algebras A. The identity element in A is also in the domain of δ. Completely dissipative maps δ are defined by the requirement that the induced maps, (aij) → (δ(aij)), are dissipative on the n by n complex matrices over A for all n. We establish the existence of different types of maximal extensions of completely dissipative maps. If the enveloping von Neumann algebra of A is injective, we show the existence of an extension of δ which is the infinitesimal generator of a quantum dynamical semigroup of completely positive maps in the von Neumann algebra. If δ is a given well-behaved ∗-derivation, then we show that each of the maps ±δ is completely dissipative. 1.