The Rene Theophile Hyacinthe Laennec reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Rene Theophile Hyacinthe Laennec

Helping orphans the way you would do it
René-Théophile-Hyacinthe Laennec (February 17, 1781- August 13, 1826), French physician; inventor of the stethoscope.

References: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08737b.htm