Jacques Forestier

Who was Jacques Forestier?

Jacques Forestier was a French internist who was a pioneer in the field of rheumatology.

Forestier studied medicine in Paris, later working at Hôpital Cochin, where he became interested in rheumatology and its treatment. In 1928 he took part in the founding of the French society of rheumatology. His father, Henri Forestier, was a director at the therapeutic spas in Aix-les-Bains.

Forestier is remembered for his introduction of gold salts as a remedy for rheumatoid arthritis. Today, injectable gold salts such as gold sodium thiomalate and aurothioglucose are considered by many to be the most effective treatment for arthritic ailments. Forestier is also known for his work with polymyalgia rheumatica and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.

With his instructor, Jean-Athanase Sicard, he demonstrated the use of Lipiodol for spinal X-ray examinations.