Henri François Le Dran
Encyclopedia
Henri François Le Dran was a French surgeon
. He gave lectures with the Royal Academy of Medicine in Paris
, and practiced surgery
at Hôpital de la Charité
. He is remembered for his work with surgeon Jean-Louis Petit
(1674–1750). Among his students was Swiss anatomist Albrecht von Haller
(1708–1777).
Le Dran made contributions in his pioneer research of cancer
, and his work involving military surgery. He was the first physician to realize that cancer was a local affliction, and not a systemic malady. He postulated that cancer progressed in stages, and that it began as a local disease of an organ. He advocated surgery for cancer before the tumor
was allowed to metastasize through the lymphatic system
and affect other parts of the body.
He was elected in January 1745 a Fellow of the Royal Society.
He is widely credited for introducing the medical term "shock" (choquer), which he defined in a treatise on gunshot wounds as a sudden impact or jolt Among his written works was a 1749 surgical treatise called Traité des opérations de chirurgie, being later translated into English and published as "The Operations in Surgery".
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
. He gave lectures with the Royal Academy of Medicine 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...
, and practiced surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
at Hôpital de la Charité
Hôpital de la Charité
Hôpital de la Charité was a hospital in Paris founded in the 17th century and closed in 1935.-History:In 1606, Marie de Médicis invited the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God to come to France. The Abbot of Saint-Germain-des-Prés granted them the use of its former Saint-Père chapel, which...
. He is remembered for his work with surgeon Jean-Louis Petit
Jean Louis Petit
Jean-Louis Petit was a French surgeon, and the inventor of the tourniquet. He was first enthusiastic about anatomy, received a master's certificate in surgery in Paris in 1700. He became a member of the French Royal Academy of Sciences in 1715, and was named director of the French Royal Academy of...
(1674–1750). Among his students was Swiss anatomist Albrecht von Haller
Albrecht von Haller
Albrecht von Haller was a Swiss anatomist, physiologist, naturalist and poet.-Early life:He was born of an old Swiss family at Bern. Prevented by long-continued ill-health from taking part in boyish sports, he had the more opportunity for the development of his precocious mind...
(1708–1777).
Le Dran made contributions in his pioneer research of 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 his work involving military surgery. He was the first physician to realize that cancer was a local affliction, and not a systemic malady. He postulated that cancer progressed in stages, and that it began as a local disease of an organ. He advocated surgery for cancer before the tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
was allowed to metastasize through the lymphatic system
Lymphatic system
The lymphoid system is the part of the immune system comprising a network of conduits called lymphatic vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph unidirectionally toward the heart. Lymphoid tissue is found in many organs, particularly the lymph nodes, and in the lymphoid follicles associated...
and affect other parts of the body.
He was elected in January 1745 a Fellow of the Royal Society.
He is widely credited for introducing the medical term "shock" (choquer), which he defined in a treatise on gunshot wounds as a sudden impact or jolt Among his written works was a 1749 surgical treatise called Traité des opérations de chirurgie, being later translated into English and published as "The Operations in Surgery".