 Beginning in 1846, he served as chief surgeon, and in 1858 was named inspector general of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.During the Franco-Prussian War he was tasked with the organization of naval ambulance services.He took part in several sea voyages during his career, most notably in 1827/28 aboard the "Chevrette", from which he collected zoological specimens during trips to India, Burma and the Dutch East Indies.