A treatise on the diseases of the chest. First ed. in English

Laennec, René Théophile Hyacinthe (1781-1826). A treatise on the diseases of the chest, in which they are described according to their anatomical characters, and their diagnosis established on a new principle by means of acoustick instruments. Translated by John Forbes (1787-1861). 8vo. [4], [vii]-xl, [2], 437, [3]pp. 8 engraved plates by John Pope Vibert (1797-1865). London: T. and G. Underwood, 1821. 212 x 128 mm. Later half calf, marbled boards, hinges worn but sound. Some toning, minor dampstains, small tears in a few leaves, old library stamps on title, plate versos and one or two other leaves. Very good.

First Edition in English, and very rare as it was printed in an edition of only 500 copies, compared to the total printing of 3600 copies which comprised the two states of the first edition in French.

Forbes abridged parts of Laennec's work, omitted others, and condensed the remainder, reducing it to about half of its original length. Although he greatly underestimated the influence the stethoscope was to have on medicine, Forbes nevertheless was as responsible as anyone else for introducing and popularizing the use of the stethoscope in the English-speaking world. According to a letter from Forbes to Laennec all 500 copies of the small English printing had been sold by September, 1823. This suggests that the initial reception of the stethoscope was slow in England, but by the time of the second English edition demand had widened exponentially. Bishop, "Reception of the stethoscope and Laennec's book," Thorax (1981): 36, 487-92. Norman 1256.