1873 French Ophthalmology Medical Letter on Dr. Alphonse Gayet Halting Cataract Surgery Due to Summer Surgical Risks, "Ripe" Cataracts and More 

On offer is an exceptional four-page French medical letter documenting a consultation in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region with the celebrated Lyon surgeon and ophthalmologist Alphonse Gayet (1833–1904) concerning the proposed cataract operation of an unidentified military captain.

The letter was written from 15 Place Bellecour, Lyon, on June 7, 1873, and addressed to French author and lawyer Aimé Giron (1836–1907). Its contents provides a detailed firsthand account of a famous French surgeon's clinical recommendation, as well as insight into nineteenth-century surgical decision-making, hospital practice, cataract diagnosis, and the perceived dangers of operating during the summer months.

The writer, identified only as “David,” reports that he personally visited “Monsieur Gayet” that morning to discuss Giron’s protégé, a military captain for whom Giron was advocating. The physician consulted was very likely Charles-Jules-Alphonse Gayet (1833-1904), then chief surgeon at Lyon’s Hôtel-Dieu and already an important figure in French ophthalmic surgery. Gayet advised strongly against an immediate operation and had suspended surgical procedures at the hospital for the season:

“Monsieur Gayet croit qu’il y aurait un très grand inconvénient à opérer en ce moment. Il a suspendu toutes les opérations à l’Hôpital.” [“Monsieur Gayet believes that there would be a very great disadvantage to operating at this time. He has suspended all operations at the hospital.”]

David explains the practical conditions behind this decision, some of which are strong light, summer heat, the unavoidable opening of windows, and more. Gayet recommends waiting to avoid risks to the Captain's wellbeing.

The letter then turns from the hospital environment to the condition of the patient’s eye, and David asks Giron whether the Captain can still see sufficiently well to move about unaided:

“Si oui, sa cataracte n’est pas mûre car je vous dirais qu’aujourd’hui on redoute beaucoup ici les opérations prématurées.” [“If so, his cataract is not ripe, for I will tell you that premature operations are greatly feared here today.”]

Most significantly, David refuses to accept the diagnosis without evidence, questioning Giron on evidence of the diagnosis of cataracts.

The letter closes with a personal joke about the tobacco smoke produced by Giron’s bâtonnier, or head of the local bar association, an affectionate reference linking Giron’s legal life with the medical consultation he had arranged for his friend.

This is a particularly strong primary-source document for a collection devoted to ophthalmology, cataract surgery, hospital history, the history of medical diagnosis, 19th century patient care, or the development of surgical risk assessment. Rather than merely naming an important physician, the letter preserves Gayet’s professional opinion and the practical considerations governing whether, when, and under what environmental conditions an eye operation should proceed.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES:

Charles-Jules-Alphonse Gayet (1833–1904) was a French surgeon and ophthalmologist associated with Lyon’s Hôtel-Dieu. After receiving his medical doctorate in Paris in 1858, he became chief surgeon at the Hôtel-Dieu in 1862. He was subsequently appointed to academic posts in Lyon and became professor of ophthalmological clinical medicine. Known as a highly skilled operator, Gayet contributed extensively to ophthalmic surgery and pathology and later published Éléments d’ophtalmologie. He was a founding member of the Société des sciences médicales de Lyon and served as its president in 1870–1871.

Jean-Antoine Aimé Giron (1836–1907) was a French lawyer, poet, novelist, journalist, and man of letters. Born at Le Puy-en-Velay into a family with longstanding legal connections, he practised law while beginning his literary career and served as secretary of the Société académique du Puy-en-Velay et de la Haute-Loire. He later contributed to such publications as the Revue de Paris, Le Figaro, Le Gaulois, Le Clairon, and La France illustrée. The letter reflects the extensive personal and professional network through which Giron sought expert advice on behalf of friends and acquaintances.