Brookville American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1858-1861, 1858-04-16
VOL. l

however, tho pure air Of native Britain,
soon dissipated,
Like alt new discoveries in science
his theory was received by majort,
Of the medical profession with con
tempt-his facts were doubted, and b.
leven received considerable share o
personal abuse. But being convinced
of its truth, he pursued his researches
Through good and evil report, and be
fore he died, he had the qualification Il
I6nd that he had revolutionixed q mos
important branch Of medical science.
In 1926 he brought out now edition
of his work, preparing Il with The
lgrcatcst caro-. In fact rewriting IL en-
tirely. Again his energies succumbcd
TO the task, and again he tried the air ol
his native town, but this time without
success. After nearlya years suffering
he died on tho 18th Of August. 1926. In
the 45th year Of his age. 80 J, nr~rrr.ss'
1t Is subject worthy OF remark that
Laennec diod Of tho very disease TO
which ho had devoted so much Of his
attention. There can DO no doubt but
his malady was Phthisis Puimondiis, or
pulmonary consumption. In fact the
existence Of disease In the lungs was
proved by his own method Of diagnosis.
Laennec discovered pecforiioquism under
the claviclo--a sure sign Of a cavity in
the lungs. But the circumstance Of n
physician dying Of disese to which he
had devoted all his mental powers, is by
no means raro one. Corvisart and
Lavoisi, two standard writer's on DIS
eases Of the heart, died Of a malady af.
fscting that organ. Boyle, contempo-
rary with Laennec, who has written an
excellent work on tho different forms of
consumption, also foil victim 10 the dis
ease he had taken so much pains 10 por-
tray.
Although there can be no doubt that
Laennec, as q great master of Diagno-
sis, stands unrivalled in the world, the
same thing cannot be said Of his thcra-
peutical knowledge. In this respect,
he did not advance single step beyond
his cotemporaries, and has added moth
ing worthy Of note with respect TO the
treatment Of the class Of diseases on
which he devoted all his attention
But perhaps this was tho fault Of the
period in which he lived. Had no ex-
isted in our day, ho would undoubtedly
have followed in the steps Of Piorry, ca
physician who stands in the same rela-
ton 10 Percussion as Laennec does TO
Auscultation) and adopted the only
scientific and successful method Of cop
| ing with these maladies, viz: local treat
ment, by means Of direct application to
the diseased organ.
On the evening Of the goth January,
1920, q stately mansion situated In the
Faubourg st. German, was brilliantly
illuminated. A numerous train of car
riages was before the chief entrance of
the hoosA- apd rs such carriages drew
up<a-j Y posited all the beauty of the
CAPITAL, arrayed in ths most magnificent
attire, and decked out with the most
gorgeous jewclry. The whole mansion
was a galaxy OF life, light and beauty,
and the splendor of the sccno appeared
to be reflected in the cOntenapces Of all
present, for every face wore smile, and
ovcry hand returned a frequent press
ure. But there was an exception to the
general hilarity of the evening, for
while all the guests were devoting them
selves to the may dance in the grand
saloon, two persons, seated in small
room, situated in one Of the wings of
The building, were very differently en-
pIoyed.
The elder Of these was man from
forty y-fve to fifty years of age. He was
commanding appearance, and evidently
belonged to the vld French nooili'y'
His companion nigh, nsye been from
five to ten years younger; he was s,1laii
in stature, good looking, and every line
Of his features expressed mental power.
The former of these two was Comte
de Luceval, and the latter DIR. Laennec,
at that time in the zenith of his power.
doctor" said the Comte, III have sent
which my happiness is involved. l
have daughter-an only child--she is
dearer TO me than life ;ttsslf. Her affec-
tions are fixed on an estiniable young
man, Monsieur de Morville, and eveEy-
thing connected with the marriage has
been settled. She loves de Morville
devotedly, in fact her whole existence
is wrapped up in him-but lately, signs
Of consumption have devoted themselves
in this young man; and although his
symptoms do not appear to be very
alarming Just now, fear the seeds of
this fatal disease are sown, and hesi-
tate before sacrificing my child TO him.
The marriage b to take place in month.
Now, Doctor, what am to dor
"There can be no doubt, Monsieur, as
to your proper course" replied Laen-
nee. "If the facts be as you suppose,
you must Immediately break of the
match"
"But II would break my daughters
heart" said the father, "you can have
no idea how devotedly attached she is
TO him."
"But, Monsieur le Comte, she will
hear reason, Explain the matter to her,
show her the consequences of this fatal
marriage. But what reason have You
for supposing the case is as bad IA you
representg"
ooh, ! can see for myself 1 am q
great observer. ] have noticed that
do Morville has visibly declined during
the past two months. He took a severe
cold about that time and II has not left
him. He Is troubled with n violent
cough and has decrcasea - ct y