Mauriceau

MAURICEAU François (François Mauriceau, 1637-1709), a renowned French obstetrician, justly considered one of the founders of modern scientific obstetrics. Having received his obstetric education in the maternity ward of the Hôtel Dieu hospital, M. devoted himself entirely to obstetric practice and quickly distinguished himself in this field. At a very young age, he published the classic: "Traite des maladies des femmes grosses et de celles qui sont accouchees" (Paris, 1668). This book brought M. worldwide fame; it went through 5 lifetime and 2 posthumous editions in French and was translated into all major European languages. In addition to this "Treatise," M. published two more volumes of his observations on the same topic ("Observations", Paris, 1695 and "Dernieres observations", P., 1708), which were also repeatedly reprinted. Everything written by M. reveals him as an outstanding observer and remarkable physician. It was therefore natural that the works of M. became a true revelation to contemporary physicians who knew nothing of obstetrics. In particular, M. developed with great precision the technique of version and especially extraction of the fetus in breech presentations: the delivery of the aftercoming head is still performed according to his method to this day.