Jean-René Cruchet
Encyclopedia
Jean-René Cruchet was a French pathologist born in Bordeaux
.
In 1902 he obtained his medical doctorate at Bordeaux
and subsequently became chef de clinique médicale. In 1907 he received his habilitation and became médecin des hôpitaux. He became a professor of general pathology in 1920, and in 1926 attained the chair of pediatrics
at Bordeaux.
Cruchet is remembered for his research of spasmodic torticollis. In 1907 he published Traité des torticolis spasmodiques, an influential monograph
in which he documented 357 cases of torticollis
. He also performed important studies on tic disorders and motion sickness
experienced by aviators.
In the winter of 1915-16 he was the first physician to give a report on encephalitis lethargica
(Economo's disease). He first noticed the presence of the disease in French soldiers at Verdun
. Historically encephalitis lethargica was referred to as "Cruchet's disease".
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
.
In 1902 he obtained his medical doctorate at Bordeaux
University of Bordeaux
University of Bordeaux is an association of higher education institutions in and around Bordeaux, France. Its current incarnation was established 21 March 2007. The group is the largest system of higher education schools in southwestern France. It is part of the Academy of Bordeaux.There are seven...
and subsequently became chef de clinique médicale. In 1907 he received his habilitation and became médecin des hôpitaux. He became a professor of general pathology in 1920, and in 1926 attained the chair of pediatrics
Pediatrics
Pediatrics or paediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. A medical practitioner who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician or paediatrician...
at Bordeaux.
Cruchet is remembered for his research of spasmodic torticollis. In 1907 he published Traité des torticolis spasmodiques, an influential monograph
Monograph
A monograph is a work of writing upon a single subject, usually by a single author.It is often a scholarly essay or learned treatise, and may be released in the manner of a book or journal article. It is by definition a single document that forms a complete text in itself...
in which he documented 357 cases of torticollis
Torticollis
Torticollis, or wryneck, is a stiff neck associated with muscle spasm, classically causing lateral flexion contracture of the cervical spine musculature...
. He also performed important studies on tic disorders and motion sickness
Motion sickness
Motion sickness or kinetosis, also known as travel sickness, is a condition in which a disagreement exists between visually perceived movement and the vestibular system's sense of movement...
experienced by aviators.
In the winter of 1915-16 he was the first physician to give a report on encephalitis lethargica
Encephalitis lethargica
Encephalitis lethargica or von Economo disease is an atypical form of encephalitis. Also known as "sleepy sickness" , it was first described by the neurologist Constantin von Economo in 1917. The disease attacks the brain, leaving some victims in a statue-like condition, speechless and motionless...
(Economo's disease). He first noticed the presence of the disease in French soldiers at Verdun
Verdun
Verdun is a city in the Meuse department in Lorraine in north-eastern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.Verdun is the biggest city in Meuse, although the capital of the department is the slightly smaller city of Bar-le-Duc.- History :...
. Historically encephalitis lethargica was referred to as "Cruchet's disease".
Selected publications
- Etude crituque sur le tic convuslif et son traitement gymnastique (Critical study on Convulsive Tics and their Treatment), 1901–02
- Traité des torticolis spasmodiques (Treatise on Spasmodic Torticollis), 1907
- Le mal des aviateurs (Aviator Sickness) 1919 with R. Moulinier in Les actualités médicales; later translated into English.
- Méningites chroniques et idiotie (Chronic MeningitisMeningitisMeningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs...
and Idiocy) In Nouveau traité de médecine of Augustin Nicolas GilbertAugustin Nicolas GilbertAugustin Nicolas Gilbert was a French physician who was born in the town of Buzancy, Ardennes. He received his doctorate from the University of Paris and became an interne at the Hôtel-Dieu de Paris. Later he was a professor of therapeutics and clinical medicine at Hôtel-Dieu...
(1858–1927) and Paul Carnot (1869–1957) - L’encéphalite épidémique (Epidemic EncephalitisEncephalitisEncephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis with meningitis is known as meningoencephalitis. Symptoms include headache, fever, confusion, drowsiness, and fatigue...
), 1928.