1889-1899 : dix années déterminantes de l'histoire du diabète

Many decisive steps were obtained in the knowledge of lean diabetes between 1889 and 1899. The reality of the pancreatic origin of the diabetes was definitively shown after the total pancreatectomy performed by Minkowsky, in 1889. Several innovative experimentations, and the 1893 understanding of the Langerhans islets function by Laguesse, supported the role of the pancreatic gland in the glycolytic process. Despite the failure attemps of systemic or per os opotherapy, the way to allow the insulin discovery was opened. It is amazing that more than two decades were necessary to treat the first type 1 diabetic patient whereas the conditions required were met since 1899.