Jean-Baptiste de Sénac
Encyclopedia
Jean-Baptiste de Sénac was a French physician who was born in the town of Lombez
. Details of his early life are sketchy, however it is generally thought that he studied medicine at the University of Leyden, and later in London
, where one of his instructors was John Freind
(1675–1728). Beginning in 1723 he practiced medicine in Paris
, and was a personal physician to King Louis XV from 1752 until 1770.
Sénac is remembered for important studies of the heart
during an era when cardiological
medicine was rudimentary. In 1749 he published an influential book on cardiology called Traité de la structure du coeur, de son action, et de ses maladies, which systematically dealt with the physiology
, anatomy
and pathology
of the heart. In this treatise he discusses heart disorders and diseases he analyzed personally, as well as diagnoses described by other physicians.
Many of Sénac's discoveries were derived from autopsies
. He was the first physician to describe the correlation between atrial fibrillation
and mitral valve disease, as well as the first to provide a comprehensive study of cardiac hypertrophy
. He also performed research of cinchona
extract and rhubarb
for treatment of cardiac irregularities.
Lombez
Lombez is a commune in the Gers department in southwestern France.-Population:-References:*...
. Details of his early life are sketchy, however it is generally thought that he studied medicine at the University of Leyden, and later in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where one of his instructors was John Freind
John Freind
John Freind , FRS, was an English physician.-Life:He was younger brother of Robert Freind , headmaster of Westminster School, and was born at Croton in Northamptonshire...
(1675–1728). Beginning in 1723 he practiced 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 was a personal physician to King Louis XV from 1752 until 1770.
Sénac is remembered for important studies of the heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
during an era when cardiological
Cardiology
Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart . The field includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology...
medicine was rudimentary. In 1749 he published an influential book on cardiology called Traité de la structure du coeur, de son action, et de ses maladies, which systematically dealt with the physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
, anatomy
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
and pathology
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
of the heart. In this treatise he discusses heart disorders and diseases he analyzed personally, as well as diagnoses described by other physicians.
Many of Sénac's discoveries were derived from autopsies
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
. He was the first physician to describe the correlation between atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia . It is a common cause of irregular heart beat, identified clinically by taking a pulse. Chaotic electrical activity in the two upper chambers of the heart result in the muscle fibrillating , instead of achieving coordinated contraction...
and mitral valve disease, as well as the first to provide a comprehensive study of cardiac hypertrophy
Hypertrophy
Hypertrophy is the increase in the volume of an organ or tissue due to the enlargement of its component cells. It should be distinguished from hyperplasia, in which the cells remain approximately the same size but increase in number...
. He also performed research of cinchona
Cinchona
Cinchona or Quina is a genus of about 38 species in the family Rubiaceae, native to tropical South America. They are large shrubs or small trees growing 5–15 metres in height with evergreen foliage. The leaves are opposite, rounded to lanceolate and 10–40 cm long. The flowers are white, pink...
extract and rhubarb
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a group of plants that belong to the genus Rheum in the family Polygonaceae. They are herbaceous perennial plants growing from short, thick rhizomes. They have large leaves that are somewhat triangular-shaped with long fleshy petioles...
for treatment of cardiac irregularities.