Crystallization of the concept of the medical secret in 19th century France

Abstract

Background. Until recent years medical secret was considered one of the most important
applied practical concepts in European medical ethics/deontology, being only surpassed by
informed consent in the last half of the century. Little is known about the way this concept
evolved in continental Europe, as only a small number of scientific articles in this area are
available in the literature written in English. The purpose of this article is to summarize the
evolution and crystallization of this concept in France from which it spread to numerous
countries in Continental Europe in the 19th century.
Materials and methods. A bibliographic search of relevant books, articles, and documents
regarding 19th century medical secret in France.
Results. The crystallization of medical secret in France started early compared to other
European countries; both legal and moral aspects regarding medical secret disseminated
widely from France to other countries in Continental Europe, influencing significantly the
way this concept was structured at a national level.
Conclusions. Many famous cases or debates in the areas of medical ethics and deontology
from the countries in Continental Europe are forgotten. However, knowing and discussing
them in relation to modern bioethics concepts might help decrease the resistance to these
newer concepts, and elaborate a more practical model for the morality of the medical act,
which will also include regional particularities.