Paré, Ambroise (c. 1509–1590)

French surgeon who introduced modern principles to the treatment of wounds. As a military surgeon, Paré developed new ways of treating wounds and amputations, which greatly reduced the death rate among the wounded. He abandoned the practice of cauterization (sealing with heat), using balms and soothing lotions instead, and used ligatures to tie off blood vessels.

Paré eventually became chief surgeon to Charles IX. He also made important contributions to dentistry and childbirth, and invented an artificial hand.

Paré was born in Mayenne département and trained in Paris. His book La Méthode de traicter les playes faites par les arquebuses et aultres bastons à feu/Method of Treating Wounds Inflicted by Arquebuses and Other Guns (1545) became a standard work in European armies, and was followed by a number of works on anatomy.