Jean-Baptiste Sarlandière
Encyclopedia
Jean-Baptiste Sarlandière (1787 - July 25, 1838) was a French anatomist and physiologist who was a native of Aix-la-Chapelle. At the age of 16 he began his medical studies at the local hospital in Noirmoutiers. In 1803 he was called to military service, and spent the next 11 years as part of the French Army. He resumed his studies in 1814, and was appointed physician at the military hospital in Paris
. He received his medical degree in 1815.
Sarlandière was a colleague of François Magendie
(1783–1855), and the two physicians collaborated on several physiological experiments. Sarlandière is remembered for introducing electroacupuncture
to European medicine. This therapeutic technique combined electricity
with acupuncture
. Unlike Oriental acupuncture, the needle was not the primary agent of treatment, but simply acted as a conductor
to apply the electricity subcutaneously. Reportedly he had success with electroacupuncture treating respiratory and rheumatic disorders, as well as some forms of paralysis
, and his technique was soon adopted in French hospitals.
Sarlandière is also remembered for his written works. He died in 1838 while he was finishing one of his better works, Traité du système nerveux (Treatise on the Nervous System). Other well-known writings of his are:
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 received his medical degree in 1815.
Sarlandière was a colleague of François Magendie
François Magendie
François Magendie was a French physiologist, considered a pioneer of experimental physiology. He is known for describing the foramen of Magendie. There is also a Magendie sign, a downward and inward rotation of the eye due to a lesion in the cerebellum...
(1783–1855), and the two physicians collaborated on several physiological experiments. Sarlandière is remembered for introducing electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture
Electroacupuncture is a form of acupuncture where a small electric current is passed between pairs of acupuncture needles. Another term is Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ....
to European medicine. This therapeutic technique combined electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
with acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of solid, generally thin needles in the body....
. Unlike Oriental acupuncture, the needle was not the primary agent of treatment, but simply acted as a conductor
Electrical conductor
In physics and electrical engineering, a conductor is a material which contains movable electric charges. In metallic conductors such as copper or aluminum, the movable charged particles are electrons...
to apply the electricity subcutaneously. Reportedly he had success with electroacupuncture treating respiratory and rheumatic disorders, as well as some forms of paralysis
Paralysis
Paralysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...
, and his technique was soon adopted in French hospitals.
Sarlandière is also remembered for his written works. He died in 1838 while he was finishing one of his better works, Traité du système nerveux (Treatise on the Nervous System). Other well-known writings of his are:
- Memoires sur l’electropuncture (1825)
- Anatomie méthodique, ou Organographie humaine (Systematized anatomy, or human organographyOrganographyOrganography is the scientific description of the structure and function of the organs of living things.-History:...
); (1830) - Physiologie de l’action musculaire appliquée aux arts d’imitation