[Maurice Raynaud (1834-1881) and the syndrome named after him]

Approximately 150 years ago Maurice Raynaud described in his doctoral thesis a set of symptoms characterized by intermittent pallor and cyanosis of the extremities which in severe cases could lead to the development of gangrene. Because the symptoms could be triggered by spasms in small blood vessels the exclusion of an organic vascular disease is a prerequisite of the diagnosis. Raynaud had not yet recognized that this often observed syndrome could sometimes be advance or initial symptoms of a severe general disease. This is the reason why nowadays these are referred to as primary and secondary Raynaud syndromes. Simultaneously to his doctoral thesis Raynaud had submitted his PhD thesis with two noteworthy publications on the history of medicine. His postdoctoral thesis encompassed a comprehensive study of the"efferent process". Raynaud worked in various Paris clinics, occupied himself with many problems and was considered to be a good academic teacher. For political reasons he was neither promoted to professor nor did he receive a chair in the history of medicine.