The Physician-Legislators of France
Medicine and Politics in the Early Third Republic, 1870–1914

Explores the causes and significance of the political influence gained by French medical doctors between 1870–1914.

Jack D. Ellis (Author)

9780521382083, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 September 1990

318 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm, 0.55 kg

"...addresses one of those problems whose interest and importance seem obvious once stated, but which no one has previously thought to confront directly....a highly informative book." Matthew Ramsey, Bulletin of the History of Medicine

Between the birth of the Third Republic and the outbreak of World War I, French medical doctors gained a far-reaching influence over the political life of their country, serving as mayors on the local level and ranking second only to lawyers in parliament. Their frequent medical contact with the people served as the foundation for their political success. In this volume, first published in 1990, Ellis explores the causes and significance of this phenomenon by examining the careers of the members of parliament who held degrees in medicine. It is the first book to deal explicitly with the backgrounds and careers of the physician-legislators, and uses a wealth of previously untapped sources. This study places medical history within a larger political framework and will be of interest to all concerned with modern French and European history, the social history of medicine, and the evolution of the professions.

List of tables and graphs
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part I. At the Local Level: 1. The social formation of the physician-legislators
2. Early medical careers
3. Early political careers
Part II. In Parliament: 4. Patterns of medico-political careers in Parliament
5. Reform of the medical profession
6. Defence of the people's health
7. The social problem
Conclusion and epilogue
Appendix A. Professors of medicine in parliament
Appendix B. The legislative record of doctors
Appendix C. Medical membership on the committee of public hygiene of the chamber
Bibliography
Glossary
Index.

Subject Areas: History of medicine [MBX]