Antoine Portal

Portal, Antoine

French anatomist and physician (1742-1832) Autograph letter signed. N. p. 27.06.1831. 12mo. 1 p. Mounted on paper.
$ 490 / 450 € (86062/BN56783)

To a M. Roux, probably the surgeon Philibert Joseph Roux, asking him to perform an examination of his neighbour and to treat her if necessary: "Veuillez bien mon cher Roux revoir avec votre discernement ordinaire la Madame Marchais [?] ma voisine et la donner quelques conseils oubien [!] s'il le fallait la retablir dans votre hospice pour la traiter. Tout cela sera digne de vous [...]". - At the time, Roux was president of the surgical section of the Académie royale de médecine. The academy had been co-founded by Portal in 1820 who was its honorary president until his death.

After studying medicine in Montpellier, Antoine Portal moved to Paris to serve as private medical tutor to the Dauphin, the later King Louis XVI. In 1769 he was named professor of anatomy at the Collège de France and in 1778 was appointed to the prestigious position of professor of anatomy at the Jardin du Roi. During the reigns of Louis XVIII and Charles X, Portal served as first Physician to the King. - Minimal browning. Mounted on 4to single leaf with old collector's note in ink: "Antoine Portal, Premier Médecin des Rois Louis XVIII et Charles X.".

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