Laennec’s Baton: A Short History of the Stethoscope
Originally posted on The Chirurgeon's Apprentice:
Since its invention in 1816, the stethoscope has become one of the most iconic symbols of the medical profession. Yet there was a time when doctors had to assess the inner sounds of the human body unaided. In 350 B.C., Hippocrates—the ‘Father of Medicine’—suggested gently shaking the patient…
