Introduction

Chapter 1, The “Introduction”, considers the life of an early-modern French physician, Marie-François-Bernadin Ramel. Biographies of Paris-based French physicians are not uncommon; those of rural practitioners are rare in French medical historiography. His life is traced from childhood, through his education, and his experiences in North Africa. Ramel practiced in his native town before becoming involved with the French Army at the battle of Toulon. This experience was followed by his joining the Armée d’Italie as a physician in which he served for three years. He returned to general practice in his home region, notably the town of La Ciotat, where eventually he was appointed mayor at the instigation of Napoleon Bonaparte.