Henri de Rothschild, 1872–1947

Harry W. Paul is Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida, USA. Among his publications are Science, Vine and Wine in Modern France (1996) and Bacchic Medicine: Wine and Alcohol Therapies from Napoleon to the French Paradox (2001). He is now writing a book on the history of women doctors.

• Contents: Introduction: resurrecting Baron Henri de Rothschild, MD; Part I The Rothschild Family Medical Tradition: The hospital that James Mayer ('le grand baron') built; The Rothschild children's hospital at Berck-sur-Mer; An education at the Paris Faculty of Medicine; Henri de Rothschild's medical empire in Paris; The science of infant feeding; A new medical speciality:pediatrics; Rothschild medical service in World War I. Part II Rothschild's Hippocratic Theater: The doctor-playwright; Doctor-charlatans in contemporary society (circa 1900); Medical ethics: Le Caducée; The female doctor's dilemma: La Vocation. Conclusion: the 1930s: medical Götterdammerüng; Bibliography; Index.

'Harry Paul’s book is [...] interesting and valuable... not only does it provide a glimpse into the life of the man himself, but it also gives the reader a useful introduction to the medical and social history of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century France.' French Studies '... a fascinating, thorough and detailed scientific and social history of medicine in early twentieth-century France with a focus on the specific areas where Henri de Rothschild’s activities held pride of place. Harry Paul’s expertise and erudition as an intellectual historian of science shines through.' Social History of Medicine 'Overall, this book is readable and engaging, providing fascinating detail about the life of this lesser-known member of one of modern history’s best-known families. Paul does an especially excellent job of re-creating the world of medical education, training, and practice in late nineteenth-century Paris. It is bound to be of interest to historians of medicine, in particular, but also to historians seeking to learn more about French cultural life under the Third Republic, as well as those more specifically interested in expanding their knowledge of the history of the Rothschild family.' Journal of Modern History