[The centralization of medical studies in universities under Napoleon I. History and consequences]

The so called "Loi du 19 ventose au XI" is two centuries old. It is a very important text of the French universitary story. It stands out the end of the Revolution in the medical studies. It enjoyed the most part of the contemporary people. But other arrangements of the law are more debatable. Thus, medical and surgical unity was already acquired before French Revolution. Furthermore, the absence of surgical practical training was a serious gap. At last, universitary Centralisation, which contrasts, with previous Decentralisation and the historical evolution of many countries, is an option with later pejorative consequences. Il was necessary to remind the events which consolidated centralisation (creation of School of medicine without autonomy in 1820, 1958 ordonnances, 1968 Revolution and after 1981, "internat national", "internat qualifiant", Lastly, the creation of C-NRS and INSERM took the leadership of research from University. Of course, other events hindered centralisation (Epic of "Internat des hôpitaux", 1871-1878 crisis, and 1910 campaign against agregation). But today, the faculties of Medicine have no real autonomy. The consequences are the standardization of the studies, the absence of competition and a poor overall result. The components of this result are not peculiar to centralisation. But this one prevents any reform. Is this logical reform really whished by the French people?