[Rene Leriche, pioneer of modern surgery]

René Leriche (1879-1955) is not unknowned, but he has an important place in surgery. He is one of the glory of the contemporary surgery. He has dominated the French surgery during more than thirty years. The life of Leriche is specified: Lyon, medical career, marriage, military service, first world war, Strasbourg, Collage de France, second world war, Académie des Sciences; he was president of the Académie de Chirurgie, chief of the surgical department of the American Hospital; retirement, and death. His scientific work is eminent: surgery of pain, of the sympathic system, vascular surgery, experimental surgery, medical teaching in France, and the Ordre des Mêdecins. Leriche was a fervent patriot and served France to the best of his ability in peace, in war and during occupation by the enemy.