Guillaume Dupuytren

Guillaume Dupuytren, Baron (October 5, 1777 - February 8, 1835) was a French anatomist and military surgeon. Although he gained much esteem for treating Napoleon Bonaparte's piles, he is best known for the Dupuytren's contracture named after him and which he described in 1831.

Birth and education
He was born at Pierre-Buffière, Limousin.

He studied medicine in Paris at the newly established École de Médecine, and was appointed by competition prosector when only eighteen years of age. His early studies were directed chiefly to anatomical pathology. In 1803 he was appointed assistant-surgeon at the Hôtel-Dieu, and in 1811 professor of operative surgery in succession to R. B. Sabatier. In 1816 he was appointed to the chair of clinical surgery, and became head surgeon at the Hôtel-Dieu. He held this post until his death.

Energy and industry
Dupuytren's energy and industry were alike remarkable. He visited the Hôtel-Dieu morning and evening, performing at each time several operations, lectured to vast throngs of students, gave advice to his outpatients, and fulfilled the duties consequent upon one of the largest practices of modern times. By his indefatigable activity he amassed a fortune, the bulk of which he bequeathed to his daughter, with the deduction of considerable sums for the endowment of the anatomical chair in the École de Médecine, and the establishment of a benevolent institution for distressed physicians. The most important of Dupuytren's writings is his Treatise on Artificial Anus, in which he applied the principles laid down by John Hunter. In his operations he was remarkable for his skill and dexterity, and for his great readiness of resource.

He died in Paris, and there with his bequest established the Musée Dupuytren.

Source

 * Catholic Encyclopedia article

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