Paul Bert

Paul Bert‏‎ (17 October 1833 – 11 November 1886) was a French physiologist and politician. He is best known for his pioneering work in aerobiology and his studies on the physiological effects of atmospheric pressure, which laid the foundation for the field of baromedicine.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Bert was born in Auxerre, France. He studied at the University of Paris, where he earned his doctorate in medicine in 1863. His early research focused on the effects of air and water pressure on the human body.

Career[edit | edit source]

In 1869, Bert was appointed Professor of Physiology at the Sorbonne. His research during this period focused on the physiological effects of atmospheric pressure, a field that would later be known as baromedicine. His most significant work, La Pression barométrique (1878), is considered a foundational text in the field.

Bert also had a successful political career. He served as the Minister of Education and Worship under the government of Jules Grévy in 1881. During his tenure, he implemented significant educational reforms.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Bert's work has had a lasting impact on a range of scientific fields. His research on the effects of pressure on the human body has been instrumental in the development of safe practices for deep-sea diving and high-altitude aviation. The Paul Bert effect, a term used to describe the toxic effect of oxygen at high pressure, is named in his honor.