LAENNEC, RENÉ-THÉOPHILE-HYACINTHE. 1781-1826.


De l'auscultation mediate, ou traite du diagnostic des maladies des poumons et du coeur. Paris: J.A. Brosson & J.S. Chaudé, 1819. 2 volumes. 8vo (207 x 140 mm). Half titles, 4 folding engraved plates at end of volume I. Publisher's wrappers, contained in modern burgundy cloth chemise and slip case. Chipping to corners of wrappers, both bottom wrappers lacking, volume II top wrapper and half title detached.Provenance: Logan Clendening (bookplate, detached from half-title of volume II).FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING, in which Laennec reports on his invention of the stethoscope. This was an important advance from Auenbrugger's percussion method of examination. His new device allowed him to hear the sounds made by the heart and lungs. "Laennec's stethoscope not only increased the relevance of pathological anatomy to bedside medicine, it contributed to a reconceptualization of diseases, from clusters of symptoms ... to products of organic changes detected objectively by physicians. With this tool, Laennec could distinguish between mild and dangerous illnesses, and he could detect signs of disease even when the patient felt entirely well" (DMB 3, pp 757-761). He also described a liver condition that came to be called "Laennec's cirrhosis." 2019 marks the 200th anniversary of this first published description of Laennec's stethoscope. Exceptionally rare in original wrappers. Garrison-Morton 2673; Norman 1253; PMM 280.