1722-1776

French physician who theorized that organs may secrete substances into the blood to affect other areas of the body. This hypothesis is correct, and led eventually to scientific studies of internal secretion, hormonal balance, and endocrine function, but Bordeu himself performed no experiments. Instead, like many other physicians of his day, he just propounded a particular dogmatic system of medical philosophy. His was vitalism, which held that life arises from a special kind of force.