title: France, the fundament, and the rise of surgery.
abstract: This article describes events in 17th and 18th century France that resulted in the elevation of surgery from a lowly status to one of parity with medicine. Changes in the education and organization of surgeons are described, and the nature and significance of the successful operation for fistula-in-ano on Louis XIV is considered in some detail.
mesh_terms: D003107:Colorectal Surgery / Q000266:history; D005197:Famous Persons; D005602:France; D013502:General Surgery / Q000266:history*; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male