Museum of the history of medicine

Here in the museum of the history of medicine you can see the instruments of surgeon Charles-François Félix . Those instruments were used during the operation of the fistula of Louis XIV. Felix developed a curved knife extended with a stylet whose rim is covered with a silver cap to prevent pain during insertion into the anus. The operation is a well-kept secret and takes place on November 18 1686 at 7 in the morning in the royal room of the castle of Versaille . The operation is performed without anesthetic and lasts for three hours. The operation is a success. Felix gets decorated by the king.

Also remarkable is the link between this operation and the hymn Lord (God), save The King. Jean-Baptiste Lully composed a song on the text written by the Duchess of Brinon to celebrate the success of this surgical operation (see video). Händel would later copy this song.

Dromos