French obstetrician often considered as doyen of French obstetrics during the second half of the nineteenth century. Tarnier is remembered for his work involving the perinatal aspects of obstetrics, and in particular, the treatment and well-being of premature infants. He was the first person to apply the infant incubator for regular care of the premature.
In the 1870s he realized that keeping a constant temperature was not sufficient for a premature infant’s survival. He believed that isolation, hygiene, appropriate feeding, and a warm, humid environment were also necessary. Inspired by a device used to incubate poultry, Tarnier introduced prototypes of infant incubators to the Paris Maternité in 1881. These devices were basically wooden boxes with glass lids and compartments that contained hot-water bottles. He called his “baby-warming device” a “couveuse”, and through it Tarnier was responsible for a 28% decrease in infant mortality over a three-year period at the Paris Maternité.
Some of his better-known assistants were obstetricians Pierre-Constant Budin (1846–1907), Paul Bar (1853–1945), Pierre-Victor-Adolphe Auvard (1855–1941) and Adolphe Pinard (1844–1934).
He died on 23 November 1897, aged 69, in Paris. A type of axis-traction forceps called the “Tarnier forceps” is named after him.
Link to Wikipedia biography