Jacques Dubois - From Philosophy To Medicine

From Philosophy To Medicine

Dubois was known for his hard work, and eloquence. In Paris, he studied languages and mathematics; but feeling that the rewards were inadequate, Dubois abandon the scholarship for medicine. He acquired his anatomical knowledge, thanks to Jean Tagault, a famous physician physician of Paris and also dean of the Faculty of Medicine. While studying under Tegault, Dubois began his career as a professor with a course explaining the work of Hippocrates and Galen. These lessons concerned anatomy and were taught at the College de Tréguier. The success of his lectures turned to be so remarkable that the faculty of the University of Paris protested that he had not yet obtained a college degree. For this reason Sylvius went to Montpellier, where in November 1529, received his medical degree at the age of 51 years.

Once he obtained his degree he returned to Paris, but he was again blocked by the Faculty, which decreed that the anatomist should have obtained a baccalaureate before returning to his lessons. On June 28, 1531 Sylvius obtained the Baccalaureate degree and was able to resume its course in anatomy. In 1550, when Vidus Vidius departed for Italy, he was appointed to succeed him as Professor of Surgery in charge of the new Royal Collège de France. This appointed was granted by Henry II of Valois.

Sylvius was an admirer of Galen, and interpreted the anatomical and physiological writings of that author in preference to giving demonstrations from the subject. He died in Paris on January 13 of 1555.