Jean Alfred Fournier
Encyclopedia
Jean Alfred Fournier was a French dermatologist
who specialized in the study of venereal diseases.
As a young man he served as an interne at the Hôpital du Midi as an understudy to Philippe Ricord
(1800–1889). In 1863 he became médecine des hôpitaux, and from 1867 worked with Augustin Grisolle
(1811–1869) at the Hôtel-Dieu de Paris
. In 1876 he was appointed chef de service at the Hôpital Saint-Louis
, and in 1880 became a member of the Académie de Médecine.
His main contribution to medical science was the study of congenital syphilis
, of which he provided a description of in 1883. In his numerous publications he stressed the importance of syphilis
being the cause of degenerative diseases. In addition he founded an organization called the Société Française de Prophylaxie Sanitaire et Morale.
His name is associated with the following three medical terms:
Along with his study of venereal disease, Fournier was also a medical historian, republishing works by erstwhile physicians that included Girolamo Fracastoro
(1478–1553), Giovanni de Vigo
(1460–1525) and Jacques de Béthencourt
.
Dermatology
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails....
who specialized in the study of venereal diseases.
As a young man he served as an interne at the Hôpital du Midi as an understudy to Philippe Ricord
Philippe Ricord
Philippe Ricord was a French physician.Philippe Ricord was born December 10, 1800 in Baltimore. His father had escaped the French Revolution in 1790 from Marseille. He met French naturalist Charles Alexandre Lesueur, who took him back to Paris in 1820. He worked for Lesueur as curator of his...
(1800–1889). In 1863 he became médecine des hôpitaux, and from 1867 worked with Augustin Grisolle
Augustin Grisolle
Augustin Grisolle was a French physician born in Fréjus.Grisolle was a professor to the Paris faculty of medicine and a member of the Académie de Médecine...
(1811–1869) at the Hôtel-Dieu de Paris
Hôtel-Dieu de Paris
The Hôtel-Dieu de Paris is regarded as the oldest hospital in the city of Paris, France, and is the most central of the Assistance publique - hôpitaux de Paris hospitals. The hospital is linked to the Faculté de Médecine Paris-Descartes...
. In 1876 he was appointed chef de service at the Hôpital Saint-Louis
Hôpital Saint-Louis
Hôpital Saint-Louis is a hospital in Paris, France. It is part of the Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris hospital system, and it is located at 1 avenue Claude-Vellefaux, in the 10th arrondissement, near the metro station: Goncourt.-External links:*...
, and in 1880 became a member of the Académie de Médecine.
His main contribution to medical science was the study of congenital syphilis
Congenital syphilis
Congenital syphilis is syphilis present in utero and at birth, and occurs when a child is born to a mother with secondary syphilis. Untreated syphilis results in a high risk of a bad outcome of pregnancy, including mulberry molars in the fetus. Syphilis can cause miscarriages, premature births,...
, of which he provided a description of in 1883. In his numerous publications he stressed the importance of syphilis
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The primary route of transmission is through sexual contact; however, it may also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis...
being the cause of degenerative diseases. In addition he founded an organization called the Société Française de Prophylaxie Sanitaire et Morale.
His name is associated with the following three medical terms:
- Fournier's gangrene: GangreneGangreneGangrene is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that arises when a considerable mass of body tissue dies . This may occur after an injury or infection, or in people suffering from any chronic health problem affecting blood circulation. The primary cause of gangrene is reduced blood...
caused by infection of the scrotumScrotumIn some male mammals the scrotum is a dual-chambered protuberance of skin and muscle containing the testicles and divided by a septum. It is an extension of the perineum, and is located between the penis and anus. In humans and some other mammals, the base of the scrotum becomes covered with curly...
and usually associated with diabetes. Although the condition is named after Fournier, it was first described by a physician named Baurienne in 1764. - Fournier's sign: Scars on the mouth following the healing of lesions in congenital syphilis.
- Fournier's tibia: Fusiform thickening and anterior bowing of the tibiaTibiaThe tibia , shinbone, or shankbone is the larger and stronger of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates , and connects the knee with the ankle bones....
in congenital syphilis.
Along with his study of venereal disease, Fournier was also a medical historian, republishing works by erstwhile physicians that included Girolamo Fracastoro
Girolamo Fracastoro
Girolamo Fracastoro was an Italian physician, poet, and scholar in mathematics, geography and astronomy. Fracastoro subscribed to the philosophy of atomism, and rejected appeals to hidden causes in scientific investigation....
(1478–1553), Giovanni de Vigo
John of Vigo
John of Vigo was a Spanish Renaissance pioneer of chirurgy....
(1460–1525) and Jacques de Béthencourt
Jacques de Béthencourt
Jacques de Béthencourt was a French physician who practiced medicine in Rouen. He is remembered for coining the term venereal disease....
.
External links
- Jean Alfred Fournier @ Who Named It?