Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-01-04
A HELP TO PHYSICIANS.
Tho monograph Shown TO Be Of Servi,
in Making Diagnosis.

Tho monograph Shown TO Be OF Service
in Making Diagnosis.
Although some ten years have elapsed
since Mr.. Thomas A. Edison startled the
world by inventing a machiDe that stored
up sound and reproduced it at will, it is
only within the past few months that this
wonderful invention has been brought to
such degree Of perfection as makes 1t OF prac-
tlcal utility to the public at large. Some
time has passed since began to investigate
the practicability of this machine, so as to
give to the medical world better and more
certain means of teaching recording, repro
duclng and demonstrating the physical signs
or sounds Of the normal as well as OF the dis
eased condition of the heart and lungs.
At this early stage of my experiments
must say that predict great future for it,
and the opening Of a new field for investiaa-
ton In physical diagnosis and teaching.
1t is very extraordinary fact that, while
the deepest tone that our ears are capable of
recognizing is one containing sixteen vibra-
tons second, the monograph will record
ten vibrations or less, and can then raise the
pitch until we hear a reproduction from them
Similarly, vibrations above the highest rate
audible to the ear can be recorded on the
monograph and then reproduced by lower
OF those inaudble pulsations
From what observations | have already
practically made am satisfied that the
phonograph has great future, and has
opened up an entire new field of investiga-
ton in that line
The method which | adopted in making
these experimental physical examinations by
the phonograph was carried out in tine fol
lowing manner:
The phonograph was placed on suitable
table before me; tube in the shape of the
deaf conversation tube was then attached to
the recording cylinder of the phonograph;
the other end was placed on that part of the
chest which was to be explored; then the
phonograph was set in motion before placing
the tube In contact with the chest. In order
to register or record upon the wax cylinder
that part Of the chest which was intended to
be examined, it was found necessary, either
before or directly after examining any part,
TO register by its anatomical name that part
of tho chest. This was done by speaking into
the phonograph SO as to be able, in reproduc-
ing, to distinguish those physical sounds
found in one part from the other.
For example, if | intend to examine the
supraclavicular region speak into the pho
nograph while in motion before placing the
tube on the chest, "Supraclavicular region"
Ry so doing these words were directly regis
tered now place the tube on that part of
the chest and examine slowly and thoroughly.
In this way continued to explore the entire
heart and lungs. 1t will be found advan-
tageous to allow the cylinder to make a num-
Der OF revolutions before removing the tube
TO another part, in order that more than one
respiratory heart sound might be registered
This is also to be carried out on examining
the heart sounds.
When was finished with my examination
returned 'l&ciS the reproducer, so as to re-
peat that which ws.= -acistered during the
examination. The phonograph ,y:-a now set
in motion; direct attached stethoscone ,,as
applied to my ears from the photograph. All
the sounds were heard, in their varied pitch
and tone as they came along, with perfect
clearness. The words and sentences that
had spoken into it, for the purpose of record
ing the landmarks, were all reproduced.
With some extra experimenting was able
to apply the use Of the phonograph in such a
manner as to throw the physical sounds.
which had been previously registered upon
ono of these wax cylinders, into the auditori-
um, and thereby teach directly larger class.
1t is further possible to construct a physical
sign cabinet which has all registered cylinders
representing the different diseases of the
lungs and heart. When one wishes to study
any of the sounds of the heart or lungs he
can pick out of his cabinet that cylinder
which has registered upon it such physical
sounds
Various other uses for which the phono-
graph is now fully ripe might be mentioned,
but am not ready to give memoranda of
these. Mount Bleyer, NJ. D., in Medical
Record