Hist Sci Med. 1996 ; 30(1): 61-70.

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GonzalÃ¨s J.

Between 1898 and 1900, France sent a mission to Indochine conducted by Jeanselme in order to inquire about the possible actions to protect people from infectious diseases especially plague. In the conclusions of the final report appeared the necessity to create a medical school for and with local people. Paul Doumer, governor general of Indochine, received the order from the french government to found at Hanoi a such structure with an hospital including managing staff purposing to cure all kinds of pathology principally tropical diseases. Yersin, Pasteur's disciple, was asked as its director. Several civil and military physicians formed with him a very efficient teaching group and first courses began in 1902 with thirteen french-speaking students. At the end of this year successful results were obtained. This medical school structured as a french pattern of a medical teaching hospital obtained a full legal status after many years. Galliard and Huard played a major role in its development by their rare qualities of mind. Scientific works were impressive in parasitology, anatomy and surgery. Ton-That Tung (1912-1982) was the most famous among Huard's several students. He became a great surgeon of his time, specialized in hepatology. The medical school of Hanoi illustrated a model of a well balanced development between traditional medicine strictly preserved and the resource of european medicine. It also constituted an exceptional example of possible cooperation between two peoples so different in culture.