Baron Dominique-Jean Larrey

1766-1842

French Surgeon

Dominique-Jean Larrey was a French military surgeon who served during the French Revolution and during the reign of Napoleon. He is credited with introducing many of the methods of modern military field medicine, including field hospitals, ambulances, and triage on the battlefield.

Larrey was born at Baudean, Hautes-Pyrenees, France, in 1766. His parents were very poor, so the local priest took pity on Dominique-Jean and sent him to school. When he was 13 his father died, and Larrey was sent to Toulouse to live with his uncle, Dr. Oscar Larrey, a noted surgeon. At 21, Larrey moved to Paris and joined the French Navy. Five years later he joined the army and served in northern France as a field surgeon during the French Revolution.

Larrey saw almost immediately that there was a need for rapid evacuation of wounded soldiers from the battlefield, and he designed two types of what he called "flying ambulances." One kind was a small, two-wheeled carriage drawn by two horses that could carry two casualties. It had a folding door and a removable floor covered with a mattress. On the sides of the carriage were pockets that held medical instruments and supplies. The second kind of ambulance was a four-wheeled carriage drawn by four horses that could carry four casualties. It had springs in the body to absorb some of the shock and make the ride more comfortable for the wounded.

Larrey also established new surgical guidelines for treating wounded in the field. At that time, soldiers who required an amputation were left alone until the battle was over and they could be attended to. Larrey noticed, however, that delaying amputation was worse for the wounded, as they had more pain, bled more, and died more often from their wounds. His new guidelines dictated immediate amputation in cases of shattered limbs or joints, broken small bones or nerves, or major muscle or artery loss. He also changed the way that wounds were cleaned on the battlefield—only water was to be used, and the wounds were dressed with adhesive bandages that let them drain. These measures reduced the number of serious infections and deaths among wounded soldiers. Larrey also improved his own surgical skill during this time. It was said that he could amputate a leg in one minute and an arm in 17 seconds.

In 1795 Larrey was assigned to the forces of Napoleon Bonaparte (1796-1821). Napoleon was a great supporter of Larrey's surgical methods, and encouraged him to refine his ideas even further. During this time, Larrey perfected the organization of the flying ambulance corps. He placed them as close to the front line of battle as possible, and their first job was to transport the wounded from the battlefield to the hospital, without regard for rank. The idea that the most seriously injured man would be helped first, no matter what his rank or distinction, was a novel concept. Larrey also established the first field hospitals staffed by surgeons who could perform more delicate operations.

In 1797 Napoleon was sent to Egypt to open a land route to India, and he took Larrey with him. In Egypt, Larrey adapted the flying ambulance for desert warfare by replacing the horsedrawn carriage with camels, which carried medical supplies and litters for transporting wounded.

When Larrey returned to France, Napoleon had established a new government, with himself as leader. He appointed Larrey Surgeon General to the Imperial Guard of France. Larrey remained with Napoleon throughout his reign as Emperor, and was himself wounded twice—at Austerlitz and Waterloo. After Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, Larrey was captured by Prussian troops, but his life was spared by the Prussian commander. Larrey, who was known for treating enemy wounded as well, had saved the life of the commander's son during an earlier battle.

Larrey returned to France and settled down to teach in the military hospital and to write. He died in 1842 at the age of 76, shortly after returning from a tour of French military hospitals in northern Africa.

GERI CLARK