New-York tribune., 1908-03-03
FOR VISUAL DIAGNOSIS
DR.. Knapp ETpiGns YTtaes Of Hh
Method OUer Old Way.

DR. Mark !. Knapp, who recently tod confer
ence of physicians in Brooklyn tPat ms method o.
making a diagnosis OF organic diseases ~
striprine the patient and observing the lines and
shadows which the internal organs prOdUes on ths
skin during respiration said yesterday in inter-
view that the physicians Of the future should %
trained ta determine ills in this way. because il is
the best and quickest way OF making a diagnosiz
not to speak OF the relief an accurate diagnosis
means for the patient
There is nothing difficult the physician in this
method Of seeing beneath the skin Il may 5s
called" +" said DIR. Knapp with his knO|ledes os
anatomy and pathology he can see al the organs
of the body in this way OF course all lis % the
BODY cannot De determined BY the physician in ths
methoa of examination. but IT Is possible to dag
rrpse organic Ills by simple inspection OF the BODY
during respiration
DR. Knapp was willing illustrate his raethoI
BY a practical demonstration a young fellow
who barred his breast for a medical survey Of TIE
region of his heart Properly diffused light and an
aniIne pencil was all the physician needed as a
preparation for the experiment Placing the pa
tient near the window in his Office, so 10 ~
the proper light the body. the physician took a
position about four feet TO one side % the right
the subject and said he would show the exact %
sitiOn of the heart
IF you will observe he said 70 the repor-
there are certain lines moving up and down ths
body while he Is breathing" and he marked line
on the body with the aI.iIine pencil which said
Indicated boundary OF tle position OF ne
in the subject Then, reminding the subject that
he must not forget 70 breathe. the physician took
another brief look the place and thea COM
pIeted mapping out the place of The hea-7. He
then verified his inspection by percuss.oD-tlat s.
sounding the body with light and heavy taps
THE size and position Of all organs OF the body
are photographed on the skin" said Dr. Knayp
and the trained eye Of the physician al tumofs.
enIargenents of the organs and srOvvths, matter
how small. can be observed in this simple method
OF making diagnoses by inspection \ trained eye
can appreciate changes in the very beginning ths
development Of disease in any organ OF the body
'Of course, when the organs Of the body ara
normal in size and position it does not make mucd
difference whether they are seen not he
physician knows at once where they But when
any one Of them is abnormal in size position
inIamed. or if there is q tEtckening growth Of
any size on it. then the extreme value Of this
new method OF examination becomes at once appar-
ent. For instance. it is possible 70 diagnose
lesion of the heart in the fraction Of minurs By
the aid Of no other means than by simply looking
at the body
The relief which the patient receives from an
accurate diagnosis is easily apparent TO the ply
slcan, and certainly appreciated by the sufferer
Take such serious and painful ills as appendicitis
turnors OF the liver and stomach a dislOcatsd
kidney. These complaints be easily recognized
by the physician with the inspection method Of
making a diagnosis. This be accomplished
quikly and with no inconvenience to the patient
The blind are trained read with their hands and
their well developed sense OF touch is marvellous
If they be trained to use their hands 50 skill
fully why cannot the physician develop with Lis
natural sight similar facility to read organic lis
beneath the skin? This power can be acquired by
any physician who wants to acquire IT, and surely
the world at large should accept nothing less
from him"