François Magendie (1783–1855)

Excerpt

François Magendie is often referred to as the ‘father of experimental physiology’ [2]. He introduced animal experimentation to scientific medicine and conducted pioneering neurophysiological work in several fields. These included the cerebrospinal fluid system (‘foramen of Magendie’), enhanced understanding of facial nerve functions, and the differentiation of the sensory and motor properties of the spinal nerves (‘Bell-Magendie law’) [5]. Over and above, Magendie was an ‘all-rounder,’ who investigated many body systems, including the heart, blood vessels and liver, and who conducted research over breathtakingly long periods. For example, his work on absorption in the intestines, lymphatic and venous system stretched more than 40 years (1809–1850) [8]. Magendie was educated not only in medicine, graduating with a M.D. from Paris University (1808), but he also received training as a resident (interne) at the Hôtel Dieu, becoming an adjunct clinician (docteur agrégé) to the Parisian hospitals [7]. Unlike many nineteenth century physiologists—including his pupil Claude Bernard (1813–1878) or Johannes Mueller (1801–1858) in Germany—Magendie’s hospital work enabled him to develop many scientific hypotheses from clinical observations. In addition, he learned to test laboratory results in patients, use physiological protocols to improve clinical practice, and facilitate the emergence of his discipline [10]. …