[The disease called "Barbiers" in the 19th century].

Described by French, English, and Dutch physicians, the disease known as Barbiers struck the island of Reunion in 1805, 1821, 1838 and 1847. It also ravaged India and other parts of the world during the 19(th) century. The origin of the name Barbiers nonetheless remains unknown. Because no diagnostic tests existed at the time, Barbiers has been thought to refer to several clinical entities, and has been the topic of passionate debates among French doctors, including Auguste Vinson and Le Roy De Méricourt, as well as among their British colleagues. This article reviews its history and tries to understand its true nature in 2014, but cannot reach a firm conclusion.