CHAPTER XXXIX
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SURGERY IN FRANCE DURING THE RENAISSANCE.—PIERRE FRANCO
Von Gurlt speaks of Pierre Franco as "one of the most
skilful surgeons and at the same time one of the most
original medical writers of the sixteenth century." He
and his contemporary, Ambroise Paré, were of French
birth, and to France therefore belongs the conspicuous
distinction of having contributed to medical science during
the Renaissance two of its most illuminating and efficient
laborers. These men, who were the leading operative
surgeons in France during the first half of the sixteenth
century, did not owe their education as physicians to the
official training provided by the Medical Faculty, but partly
to the men who were classed as barbers and surgeons, or
barber-surgeons (Collège de St. Côme), and still more to
their own efforts. They gathered practical knowledge
wherever they might—largely from their official connection
with armies during the progress of different wars. Further
details with regard to their personal characters and
the principal events of their professional careers will be
furnished in the following brief sketches.
Pierre Franco.—Pierre Franco was born in the village of Turriers, in Provence (now the Department of Basses-Alpes), about the year 1500. He received his instruction in surgery from itinerant lithotomists, operators for cataract, hernia-healers and men of that class; and it is quite likely that, in the early days of his professional career in Provence, he was himself a practitioner of this humble type. At a somewhat later date he left the southern part of France and took up his residence in Switzerland, first at Berne and then at Lausanne. He probably left Provence
