The publication of Traité des maladies des enfants nouveau nés et à la mamelle in 1828 established a foundation for pediatric pathology. Charles-Michel Billard spent his brief career observing and documenting the ailments of infants, transitioning from his formative training in Laval and Angers to a position at the Hôpital des Enfants-Trouvés in Paris.
Early Career and Education
Born in 1800 at Pellouailles-les-Vignes, Billard pursued his initial education in Laval and Angers. By 1824, he moved to Paris to further his professional development. During his time in the French capital, he secured a position at the Hôpital des Enfants-Trouvés, an institution that facilitated his focus on childhood diseases. He remained in the city until he obtained his medical degree in 1828.
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Billard actively documented his findings during his active years. His 1825 publication, De la membrane muqueuse gastro-intestinale dans l'état sain et dans l'état inflammatoire, examined gastrointestinal conditions. That same year, he translated Thomas Thomson's work on chemistry into French. By 1826, he contributed research regarding fetal malformations to Michel Chevreul's book, Précis de l'Art des Accouchements. He further explored specialized pathology in 1828 with Atlas d'anatomie pathologique pour servir à l'histoire des maladies des enfans, followed in 1830 by his treatise on eye diseases based on lessons from London's ophthalmic clinic.
Legacy of Pediatric Research
His primary work, Traité des maladies des enfants nouveau nés et à la mamelle, gained widespread academic reach. Friedrich Ludwig Meissner translated the text into German in 1829. Charles-Prosper Ollivier d'Angers oversaw a second French edition in 1832, and a third French edition appeared in 1837. An English translation followed in 1839 titled A treatise on the diseases of infants, cementing the reach of his clinical insights.
Final Years
After completing his medical degree in 1828, Billard returned to Angers to establish a private medical practice. His career ended prematurely when he died of tuberculosis in Angers on January 31, 1832. He was 31 years old at the time of his death.
Fast facts
- Born: 16 June 1800, Pellouailles-les-Vignes
- Died: 31 January 1832, Angers
- Occupation: Physician
- Nationality: French
- Key Publication: Traité des maladies des enfants nouveau nés et à la mamelle (1828)
- Cause of Death: Tuberculosis
Questions readers ask
What was Billard's primary medical contribution?
He focused on pediatric pathology, specifically documenting the diseases of newborns and infants in his 1828 treatise.
Where did Billard work during his career?
He worked at the Hôpital des Enfants-Trouvés in Paris and later maintained a private medical practice in Angers.
