Abstract

The aim of this study is to show the various aspects of Charcot's methodology from examples provided by Charcot's publications in the field of geriatrics. The source material consists of unedited Charcot's manuscripts, stored in Charcot's library at the Salpêtrière hospital, in Paris. Mainly inspired by Müller's and Virchow's methodologic pattern, J.M. Charcot filled the gap which concerned French medicine, in the middle of the nineteenth century, when the rhythm of its discoveries decreased. Charcot substituted successfully the old Parisian 'hospital medicine' for new features of medicine initiated by German doctors. Charcot's methodology implied also a new scientific theory in medicine