Dominique-Jean Larrey (1766-1842): The Founder of the Modern Triage System

Abstract

Dominique-Jean Larrey was a prominent French surgeon who rose to fame during the age of the Napoleonic Wars. During his service in the French military, he developed dozens of medical innovations. Most important of all were his improvements to the evacuation of the wounded from the battlefield, triage of the wounded, and rapid surgical intervention. His innovations revolutionized military medicine and are still the basis for modern practice today.