Poorva Chavan
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: Poorva Chavan | Updated : February 17, 2016 10:34 AM IST
Google doodles are a gentle reminder of all the significant and essential things people have offered to the world and today's doodle celebrates the birth anniversary of Rene Laennec, a French physician who invented the stethoscope. He invented the stethoscope in 1816 for diagnosing chest conditions. The invention replaced the standard technique of placing the ear over the chest for diagnosis. He invented it because he was too embarrassed to place the ear against the chest of a woman.
It is believed that he was inspired by school children playing with a hollow stick. The children would place the ear at one end and scratch the other end with a pin. The scratch was transmitted through the hollow tube and was amplified. Read: Good ol stethoscopes to be replaced by hand-held ultrasound devices?
His first prototype was 25cm by a 2.5cm hollow wooden cylinder which he later improvised into three detachable parts. H named is instrument stethoscope -stethos meaning the chest and skopos for examination. Laennec is credited with coining terms such as mediate auscultation which means indirect listening which was way different than the widespread practice of immediate auscultation or personal listening.
He published his findings in 1819. However, he was highly criticised for his invention too, and not all doctors readily embraced his stethoscope. A professor of medicine had also commented that someone who has the ears to hear will use his ears and not a stethoscope. Laennec referred to his invention as the cylinder and called it the greatest legacy of his life.
Although a stethoscope is an important diagnostic tool and most doctors cannot do without it, recently a leading cardiologist in the US declared the stethoscope dead. Find out more about whether doctors will need a stethoscope in the future.
Image source: Google.co.in
