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Rare work by the inventor of the Stethoscope

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Title: De l'Ausculation Mediate, ou Traite du Diagnostic des Maladies des Poumons et du Coeur
Author: Laennec, R[ene] T[heophile] H[yacinthe]
Description: 2 volumes. [v]-xlviii, 456, [8]; [iii]-xvi, 472 pp. Four folding lithograph plates at rear of Volume 1 (3 of which have been separated at fold and bound as 6 plates). (8vo) 8x5, half calf and marbled boards. First Edition."Laennec was undoubtedly the most prominent French internist of his day. His ingenious use of a roll of paper as a first stethoscope opened an entirely new field of physical diagnosis, and by this means he virtually created the physical diagnosis of pulmonary diseases, giving clear, concise definitions of phthisis, pneumothorax, emphysema, etc. From his teaching came such terms as bronchial breathing; vesicular and cavernous respiration; mucus, bubbling, and sonorous rales; metallic tinkle; and egophony. Ironically, cirrhosis (his term) of the liver (Laennec's cirrhosis) is perhaps more often associated with Laennec than the fact that his invention of the stethoscope was the most important advance in physical diagnosis between Auenbrugger's introduction of percussion in 1761 and Roentgen's discovery of X-rays in 1895. Several folding plates in this landmark volume illustrate the construction of Laennec's primitive tubular wood stethoscope." (Heirs of Hippocrates). Garrison-Morton 2673; Osler 1318; Wellcome III, p. 429; PMM 280; Heirs of Hippocrates 1364.
Heading: Place Published: Paris
Publisher: J.A. Brosson et J.S. Chaude
Date Published: 1819