Hayem, Georges (1841-1920)

French physician who pioneered the study of diseases of the blood and was one of the founders of haematology. He was the first to describe in detail the different cell types present in blood. Realizing the importance of blood platelets and their role in blood clotting, Hayem was the first to perform an accurate blood-platelet count in 1878, and he later published a textbook on the subject.

Hayem was born and studied medicine in Paris. After obtaining his MD 1868, he became professor of therapy and materia medica at the hospital in Tenon.