[Augustin Belloste (1654-1730), aspects of the surgery in military hospitals during the Piemont-Savoie War (1686-96)]. / Augustin Belloste (1654-1730), aspects de la chirurgie militaire hospitaliére pendant la guerre de Piémont-Savoie (1686-96).

ABSTRACT

The surgical practice in military hospitals during the XVIIth century remains poorly known. An original statement is provided by A. Belloste (1654-1730) who enlisted as military surgeon in 1686. In 1690 began the Piemont-Savoie War during which he was in position in the military hospitals of Briançon, Pignerol, and Oulx. In 1696, after the end of the war, A. Belloste published a treatise, the hospital surgeon, written according to the experience he gained and the observations he consigned during his ten years of practice, particularly in the military hospital of Briançon. Interesting information is given concerning the military hospitals recruitment and the patients origins. The transfer to a military hospital seemed to be considered as the last resort, with sometimes wounded persons waiting during long months in dreadful conditions. The pathologies observed and treated consisted principally in war traumatisms by sword or firearms, but also came victims of traumatisms happened during great defensive works as those of Vauban, or presenting pathologies related to the specificites of the alpine environment as falls, altitude or cold... The lodging conditions in hospital were summary, and were often unfavourable to a good evolution of the injuries. A. Belloste particularly developed and defended the interest of a soft, measured, and rational treatment of the wounds.