Abstract
IN his inaugural dissertation on Luchon (Thése de Paris, 1938, No. 497), Dr. P. J. M. J. Molinery gives an interesting historical account of this celebrated health resort situated in the heart of the central Pyrenees. He describes three distinct stages in its development, namely, the Gallo-Roman epoch, the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and modern times. In antiquity, Luchon enjoyed a high reputation owing to the Aquae Onesiae, which were recommended by Oribasius and Antyllus among others for nervous and gastric disorders, skin diseases and rheumatism. Then followed a period of more than a thousand years when Luchon fell into entire oblivion. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries it recovered something of its former splendour.' Fresh bathing establishments were built over the Roman ruins and new springs were discovered. During this period, Luchon was specially recommended for the treatment of skin diseases, rheumatism, menstrual disorders, scrofula and syphilis. In the twentieth century it became not only one of the most important of the Pyrenees sulphur stations but also one of the most radioactive centres in Europe. The diseases treated at Luchon at the present time are mainly disorders of the respiratory tract, deafness of nasal origin, rheumatism, skin diseases and secondary and tertiary syphilis.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
History of Luchon. Nature 142, 608 (1938). https://doi.org/10.1038/142608a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/142608a0