Alfred Fournier (1832 – 1914). Life and Legacy of the Parisian Dermatovenerologist.

Abstract

Introduction: Alfred Fournier, Professor of the first Chair of Cutaneous and Syphilitic Diseases at the University of Paris, had an important role in making venereology an integral part of dermatology. His contributions remain significant over a century after he died in 1914. Methods: This article reviews and synthesizes historical data on Fournier's personal and professional development, presenting key excerpts from his life and work. Results: Born in 1832, he began medical studies at Hôpital du Midi in Paris. Fournier published influential works chancre, acquired and congenital syphilis. Many eponyms were named after him, particularly the Fournier’s gangrene. He recognized the contagiousness of secondary lesions and proposed the syphilitic origin of tabes dorsalis. Among his interests were the “gonorrheal rheumatism”, dermatological manifestations of diabetes, infant's vacciniform herpes, and drug eruptions. He was President of the first International Congress of Dermatology and his medical activity also included work in public health, especially on alcoholism and tuberculosis. He was posthumously honored with the title Benefactor of Humanity. Conclusion: As syphilis, regains importance in high-income countries and continues to overburden low and medium-income countries, we hope that becoming familiar with Fournier´s career can reinforce the interest of young dermatologists in the field of sexually transmitted infections.

Keywords

• Dermatology
• Venereology
• Syphilis
• STI
• History of Medicine
• Paris