Rene-Theopile-Hyacinthe Laennec born in Auimper in Brittany , France Februrary 17th 1781; died at Kerlouanec August 13th 1826, was a French physician , discoverer of auscultation and the father of our modern knowledge of pulmonary diseases. Dr. Laennec is the inventor of the stethoscope, the original employment of the instrument being suggested by his desire to a save a young woman’s modesty from the shock of having him listen directly to her chest. Roger sums up what Laennec had thus accomplished when he says that Laennec’s ear opened to man a new world in medical science (Roger Les Medicines Bretons) Laennec published his book on the subject in 1819 with the modest motto in Greek “the most important part of an art is to be able to observe properly” Additionally he made very careful studies in pathology, especially o disease of the liver. Alcoholic cirrhosis is often spoken of as Laennec’s cirrhosis. Laennec was also known for his kindness and was beloved by his colleagues and his students. His charity to the poor became proverbial and his principal solicitude towards the end of his life was to keep as far as possible from giving trouble to others.

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