Philippe Gaucher
Encyclopedia
Philippe Charles Ernest Gaucher (July 26, 1854 – January 25, 1918) was a French
dermatologist born in the department of Nièvre
.
He received his medical doctorate in 1882, and soon after headed a medical clinic at Necker Hospital
. During the subsequent years he was an instructor at several hospital clinics in Paris
. He taught classes on pathological anatomy, bacteriology
and histology
, as well as dermatology
.
In 1902 he succeeded Jean Alfred Fournier
(1832-1914) as the university chair of dermatology and syphilography
. Gaucher was also founder of a journal on venereal disease called Annales des Maladies Vénériennes.
Gaucher is remembered for his description of the disorder that was to become known as Gaucher's disease
. In 1882 while still a student, he discovered this disease in a 32-year old woman who had an enlarged spleen
. At the time, Gaucher thought it to be a form of splenetic cancer
, and published his findings in his doctorate thesis titled De l'epithelioma primitif de la rate, hypertrophie idiopathique de la rate sans leucemie. However, it wouldn't be until 1965 that the true biochemical nature of Gaucher's disease was understood.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
dermatologist born in the department of Nièvre
Nièvre
Nièvre is a department in the centre of France named after the Nièvre River.-History:Nièvre is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
.
He received his medical doctorate in 1882, and soon after headed a medical clinic at Necker Hospital
Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital
The Hôpital Necker – Enfants Malades is a French teaching hospital, located in Paris, France. It is an hospital of the Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris group, and is affiliated to the University of Paris Descartes...
. During the subsequent years he was an instructor at several hospital clinics in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. He taught classes on pathological anatomy, bacteriology
Bacteriology
Bacteriology is the study of bacteria. This subdivision of microbiology involves the identification, classification, and characterization of bacterial species...
and histology
Histology
Histology is the study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues of plants and animals. It is performed by examining cells and tissues commonly by sectioning and staining; followed by examination under a light microscope or electron microscope...
, as well as dermatology
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....
.
In 1902 he succeeded Jean Alfred Fournier
Jean Alfred Fournier
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 . In 1863 he became médecine des hôpitaux, and from 1867 worked with Augustin Grisolle at the...
(1832-1914) as the university chair of dermatology and syphilography
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...
. Gaucher was also founder of a journal on venereal disease called Annales des Maladies Vénériennes.
Gaucher is remembered for his description of the disorder that was to become known as Gaucher's disease
Gaucher's disease
Gaucher's disease is a genetic disease in which a fatty substance accumulates in cells and certain organs.Gaucher's disease is the most common of the lysosomal storage diseases. It is caused by a hereditary deficiency of the enzyme glucosylceramidase. The enzyme acts on the fatty acid...
. In 1882 while still a student, he discovered this disease in a 32-year old woman who had an enlarged spleen
Spleen
The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrate animals with important roles in regard to red blood cells and the immune system. In humans, it is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood in case of hemorrhagic shock...
. At the time, Gaucher thought it to be a form of splenetic cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, and published his findings in his doctorate thesis titled De l'epithelioma primitif de la rate, hypertrophie idiopathique de la rate sans leucemie. However, it wouldn't be until 1965 that the true biochemical nature of Gaucher's disease was understood.