Louis-Joseph Seutin

Louis Joseph Seutin (18 October 1793–29 January 1862) was a Belgian doctor, surgeon and professor at the Université Libre de Bruxelles.

Born in Nivelles, he studied medicine and took part in the Battle of Waterloo as a doctor. After the Belgian Revolution in 1830, he became the personal doctor of king Leopold I and Head Doctor of the Belgian army. He was later made a baron for his services. He became a senator for the Liberal Party in 1853.

He invented the use of starched bandages and, in 1848, was the first to use chloroform for anaesthesia. His treatment of open fractures was revolutionary. By improving hygiene, he also drastically reduced the number of women who died in childbirth.

Seutin died in Brussels on 29 January 1862.

ource

* [http://www.liberaalarchief.be/S_U.html Louis-Joseph Seutin]
* De Paepe, Jean-Luc, Raindorf-Gérard, Christiane (ed.), "Le Parlement Belge 1831-1894. Données Biographiques", Brussels, Académie Royale de Belgique, 1996, p. 506-507.
* Douxchamps, José, "Présence nobiliaire au parlement belge (1830-1970)", Notes généalogiques, Wépion-Namur, José Douxchamps, 2003, p. 119-120.