Joseph Grasset
Joseph Grasset (18 March 1849 – 7 July 1918), was a French neurologist and parapsychological investigator, born in Montpellier.[1]
He received his medical degree (1873) in Montpellier, where in 1881 he became a professor of therapy. In 1886, he attained the chair of clinical medicine, and in 1909 was appointed chair of general pathology.[1]
Grasset was involved in every aspect of internal medicine, but his primary interest concerned diseases of the nervous system. His name is associated with the "Grasset law", 'a condition where a patient with hemiparesis lying on his back can raise either leg separately, but is unable to raise both legs together.'[2]:649 This phenomenon is explained in his 1899 treatise, Diagnostic des maladies de la moëlle.[1]
He conducted studies in the field of psychiatry, publishing the book Demi-fous et Demi-responsables (Semi-Insane and the Semi-Responsible) in 1907, and also researched the paranormal, publishing works with titles such as Le spiritisme devant la science (1904) and L’occultisme hier et aujourd'hui (1907).[1]
References
- Biography of Joseph Grassett ("Who named it?").
- Clarac, François; Boller, François (2009-01-01), Aminoff, Michael J.; Boller, François; Swaab, Dick F. (eds.), "Chapter 40 History of neurology in France", Handbook of Clinical Neurology, History of Neurology, Elsevier, 95, pp. 629–656, retrieved 2020-06-03
Bibliography (selected)
- The diagnosis of diseases of the cord (Michigan: George Warr, 1901).
- The semi-insane and the semi-responsible (New York : Funk and Wagnalls, 1907).
- The marvels beyond science : (L'occultisme hier et aujourd'hui; le merveilleux préscientifique) (New York; Funk & Wagnalls company, 1910)