Joseph Castaigne

Education

He studied medicine in Paris, later becoming médecin des hôpitaux in 1908.

Career

During World War I, he was responsible for the treatment of wounded soldiers at a hospital in Vichy. Following the end of hostilities, he became head of medical services at the Hôpital de la Charité. Castaigne felt that a small village environment would be beneficial in raising his other children.

At Paris, he studied under Anatole Chauffard (1855-1932) and Augustin Nicolas Gilbert (1855-1927), and performed investigations involving renal functionality with internist Emile Charles Achard (1860-1944).

With Achard, the "Achard-Castaigne test" is named, a urinary test using methylene blue dye to analyze the excretory function of the kidneys. His name is also lent to the "Castaigne test", a method for examining the density of urine.

Achievements

• At Clermont-Ferrand, he eventually attained the directorship of its medical school, working there until 1942.