In Search of a Lost Father: Adrien Proust (1834-1903), An Almost Forgotten Public Health Pioneer

Donatella Lippi; Elena Varotto; Sara Boccalini; Angela Bechini; Francesco Maria Galassi

doi:10.3390/vaccines10050644

In Search of a Lost Father: Adrien Proust (1834-1903), An Almost Forgotten Public Health Pioneer

Vaccines (Basel). 2022 Apr 20;10(5):644. doi: 10.3390/vaccines10050644.

Authors

Donatella Lippi¹, Elena Varotto², Sara Boccalini³, Angela Bechini³, Francesco Maria Galassi²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, School of Sciences of Human Health, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy.
² Archaeology, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide 5001, Australia.
³ Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy.

Abstract

Objectives: In this communication, we wish to remember the important historical role played by Marcel Proust's father, the now mostly forgotten Achille-Adrien Proust (1834-1903).

Study design and methods: His career, scientific interests and, above all, his brilliant intuitions and suggestions in the fight against cholera in the 19th century are recalled.

Results and conclusions: His role in the promotion of a globally effective vision of public hygiene and health is stressed as a bright example for modern physicians fighting contemporary epidemics.

Keywords: Proust; history of medicine; hygiene; pandemic emergency; public health; tradition.

Publication types

Editorial