Rene Laennec Poem by Jim Yerman

Today we celebrate the birthday of Rene Laeneec who gave the medical world hope
When back in 1816 he invented the stethoscope.

This imaginative device Rene created was really pretty smart
It allowed doctors to listen for abnormalities in the lungs and in the heart.

But there’s another fact I find interesting about his ingenious little invention
It had nothing to do with the device itself but deals with Rene’s intention.

He felt it inappropriate, at least my information suggests,
To place his naked ear so close to his female patients breasts.

So thank you Mr. Laeneec for inventing what would become the symbol of your profession
And please forgive me, if you will, my unqualified confession.

In creating the stethoscope and making yourself the chesty woman’s proctor
You took away my only reason for wanting to be a doctor.