Pjer-Džozef Dezol (Pierre-Joseph Desault, 1744-1795)

Abstract

Pierre-Joseph Desault (1744-1795) was the first French professor of clinical surgery. The clinical school of surgery which he instituted at the hospital Hôtel-Dieu attracted great numbers of students from France and other countries. In 1791 he established a Journal de chirurgerie, a record of the most interesting clinical cases. He introduced many improvements to surgical practice and construction of surgical instruments. Desault published his work rarely, but his students later did, based upon his lectures. He was teaching surgery in an innovative way, in French, with a lot of demonstration and practice. Therefore, he is rightly considered a forerunner of modern medical teaching. Although primarily a surgeon, Desault practically signed the birth certificate of nephrology by clinical observation, and is considered, together with Chopart, a pioneer of urology. His influence on the development of medical science in France is great, but his ability to organize the hospital and his exceptional pedagogical activities are especially emphasized.