G. Dupuytren's contracture: an inaccurate denomination.

The question of priority in describing 'Dupuytren's disease' as a result of permanent retraction of the palmar aponeurosis has been debated for a long time. This article tries to identify the pioneers who were involved in the research of the origin of permanent contracture of fingers and palm of the hand, and to find out to whom the priority of this affection should be attributed. Selected passages of several authors, as well as of Dupuytren's writings (mainly in italics and translated into English) are used to try and find the truth concerning the primary description of the disease.