[A short history of René Groupil, patron saint of anesthetists]

Born in 1608 near Angers, France, René Goupil looked after the native people at Sillery, Québec between 1640 and 1642 as surgeon and donné. Ambushed and captured by Mohawk warriors, he was killed in September 1642 near Auriesville NY. He was canonized in 1930. The life of Goupil is reviewed with regards to primitive medicine of the 17th century. In 1951, american nurse anesthetists chose René Goupil, health worker and saint of North America, as the patron saint of the anaesthetists. Since, he has been recognized by more and more practitioners of anaesthesia.