Clinical researches on auscultation of the respiratory organs, and on the first stage of phthisis pulmonalis. Part 1 / by Jules Fournet ; translated from the French by Thomas Brady.

  • Fournet Jules.
Date:
1841
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Clinical researches on auscultation of the respiratory organs, and on the first stage of phthisis pulmonalis. Part 1 / by Jules Fournet ; translated from the French by Thomas Brady. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    CLINICAL RESEARCHES, &c. FIRST PART. RESEARCHES ON AUSCULTATION OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS. INTRODUCTION. In 1816 tlie inunortal Laennec opened a new career to tlie science of diagnosis. Frona the first lie comprehended all its extent; while liis powers of observation, wMch. equalled the facility and accuracy of his understanding, enabled him subsequently to traverse it in almost every direction. In a very short time he had collected around him immense materials; and upon this mass of facts, so new, so numerous, so diversi- fied, but of whose value the accuracy of his senses assured him, he poured the light of analysis. Similar facts were brought together, their relations recognized ; a common chain united them, order succeeded to confusion, science laid hold of what seemed at first a mere object of curiosity, and auscultation was created. The impulse that acted on Laennec was felt by other men in his own time and since. At his side M. Andi'al, inspired with the same foresight, animated with the same force, attained the same-1 end. At times Laennec even seemed annoyed by the too close proximity; but this passing weakness only tended to the advantage of science, by exciting him perhaps to still greater activity. Similar men soon took the same path : accurate and well-trained senses, a sound judgment applied to the analysis of facts, confirmed the results of Laennec, and even pene- trated beyond him. Observers of a difierent stamp mingling with the former, laboured in various ways in this new field of science ; and aus- cultation, great even in the cradle, fruitful from its birth, was hailed on aU sides with the enthusiasm and the unanimity reserved for truth. Some minds, always slow to follow the progress of their age, generally rebellious to every discovery, obeyed as usual their instinct of opposition ; but their conversion, which could not be long delayed, was a homage to auscultation, or the new science passed easily over this obstacle. (') B