Auguste François Chomel (1788-1858) and his Work on Rheumatism: Introducing Rheumatic Heart.

Abstract

In the early 19^th century, Auguste François Chomel gathered the knowledge on rheumatism, systematised it, and published it in his majestic work Pathologie Générale. In his treatise, for the first time, rheumatic heart was discussed. Taking into account the opinions of the ancient Greek physicians, he had described the disease as an acute or chronic manifestation of the inflammation of the heart due to rheumatism. His publication rendered rheumatic heart an issue in vogue for his era, a disease being mentioned in all textbooks of the internal pathology.