Pinard

PINARD Adolphe (Adolphe Pinard, born in 1844), a renowned French obstetrician. Even as a young man, P. distinguished himself with his scientific works on the narrow pelvis and neglected transverse position. Upon becoming an independent teacher (1875), P. proved himself to be an outstanding educator. His manual 'Traite du palper abdominal' remains to this day a classic work on obstetric examination. In 1882-89, P. headed the obstetrics department of the Lariboisiere Hospital. In 1889, he was entrusted with the organization of the newly founded faculty clinic (Maison d'accouchement Baudelocque). In organizing this clinic, P. introduced completely new principles, which have not lost their significance to the present day. Based on the material from this clinic, P., together with his students, conducted studies that fully proved that a woman who rests during the last months of pregnancy gives birth to larger, and therefore more viable, children. These works, as well as the initiatives of Budin in the care of newborns, formed the basis of the modern movement for the protection of motherhood and infancy. In the last two decades, P. has somewhat withdrawn from his teaching and scientific activities, but with surprising energy continues to work on the further implementation of his ideas. As recently as the summer of 1930 (at the age of 86), P. spoke at the laying of the foundation stone for a new school (Ecole de puericulture) with a speech: 'La puericulture' (published in 'Presse med.', 1930, No. 66). The most important works of P.: 'Les vices de conformation du bassin' (P., 1874); 'Traite du palper abdominal' (P., 1878; 2nd ed., P., 1889); 'Hygiene de la femme enceinte-la puericulture intrauterine' (Ann. de gynec, v. LIV, 1900).