[Jacques Mathieu Delpech and School of Montpellier: 1st part Jacques Mathieu Delpech (1777-1832)]

Two surgeons have labeled, in France, the first period of the 19th century. The one is universally known, it is Dupuytren, the other one underestimated who can be nevertheless considered as his equal: Jacques Mathieu Delpech. From Toulouse, child of the Revolution, he taught the anatomy from the age of 14 years, became assistant chief warrant officer in the revolutionary armies, gave up competing with Dupuytren, and became Professor of Surgery in Montpellier in 1812. Delpech reintroduced the teaching of the Anatomy and the Surgery. Author of first forehead flap in France, he revolutionized the treatment of the clubfoot. He created an Institute of Orthomorphia where he made practice the gymnastics and the active reeducation. He was interested in the healing process and in the correction of the deformations of the body. He was murdered when he was 55 by one of his patients. He is the founder of the School of plastic surgery of Montpellier, which will compete in the 19th century with the school of Berlin of Dieffenbach.