French school of neurology in the 19 th and first half of the 20th century, and its influence in Brazil

Abstract

French medicine was of the utmost importance for the birth of modern medicine and neurology in the 19 th century. Innovative approaches, such as examination at the bedside, the use of the stethoscope, techniques of auscultation, palpation, and close patient examination, besides emphasis on anatomical-clinical correlation and observation of the outcome of the disease, were put into practice. French medicine offered professional training and incentives for the beginnings of Brazilian neurology and psychiatry. Returning from France, many Brazilian physicians implemented what they had learned, mainly in Paris. The most important pupils of the French neurology schools in Brazil during the 19 th century and first half of the 20 th century include names like Antonio Austregesilo, Aloysio de Castro, Enjolras Vampré, and Deolindo Couto, founders of the leading Brazilian neurological schools, directly influenced by Dejerine, Pierre Marie, Guillain and Babinski.

Neurological signs described at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro: connecting the past to the future

“…In 1918, its first own teaching-hospital building was inaugurated in the Praia Vermelha neighborhood and, shortly after in 1920, the medical school became known as Faculdade Nacional de Medicina da Universidade do Rio de Janeiro (the University of Rio de Janeiro's National School of Medicine). At this medical school, the first professor of Neurology was Dr. Antônio Austregésilo ("the father of Brazilian Neurology"), pioneer in the studies of movement disorders 2,3,4 . The university had its name changed to Universidade do Brasil (the University of Brazil) before its current denomination in 1965: Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro).…”

“…The classical period began with the first chair of Neurology of the School of Medicine of Rio de Janeiro, headed by Antônio Austregésilo who, in France, attended the services of Babinski, Pierre-Marie and Dejérine. Austregésilo made numerous contributions to Neurology and to the study of movement disorders in Brazil, one of them being the world's first description of a post-traumatic dystonia patient, in addition to numerous other works of great worldwide recognition and prominence 2,3,4 . He is also known as the "spiritual father of Brazilian Neurosurgery", for having appointed Augusto Brandão Filho and Alfredo Alberto Pereira Monteiro to officially start what eventually became the Escola Brasileira de Neurocirurgia (Brazilian School of Neurosurgery) 7 .…”

“…The great capacity for clinical observation of these past scholars must be accounted for, as for more than a century, they observed and published several relevant neurological signs under the direct influence of the French school of Charcot 2,3,11 .…”

Jean-Martin Charcot, father of modern neurology: an homage 120 years after his death

“…Some of his outstanding students were Paul Richer, Georges Fulgence Raymond, Edouard Brissaud, Pierre Marie, Joseph Babinski, Georges Gilles de la Tourette, and many others, including, Freud and Bechterew 4,6 . He had great ability to attract students from all around the world 2 a gift inherited, by Pierre Marie and Babinski, masters of Brazilian neurology pioneers 9 . Charcot's vast medical experience was remarkable, and this was demonstrated in his way of teaching and in his capacity to disseminate his vast knowledge through papers and books with his students support.…”

First stages towards the establishment of Brazilian neurology faculties

“…Pierre Marie, Babinski, Guillain, and Dejerine, all members of the "Parisian neurology" elite, trained students and doctors from around the world, and were mentors to the pioneers of Brazilian neurology in the early 20 th century. Also included as founders of Brazilian neurology schools were Antônio Austregésilo Rodrigues de Lima (1876-1960), Aloysio de Castro , Enjolras Vampré , and Deolindo Augusto de Nunes Couto 2,5 . Moreover, the French School of Medicine had a profound influence on the first pioneers of Brazilian Neurology, such as José Martins da Cruz Jobim (1802-1878), João Vicente Torres Homem (1837-1887), as well as the alienist specialist in mental illness, João Carlos Teixeira Brandão .…”