A System of Practical Medicine. By American Authors. Vol. 3

A System of Practical Medicine. By American Authors. Vol. 3 - Diseases of the Respiratory, Circulatory, and Hæmatopoietic Systems

The laryngoscope is a combination of instruments designed for the examination of the interior of the larynx and upper part of the trachea, while the rhinoscope is a similar combination of instruments designed to explore the posterior nasal cavity; and both are comparatively recent inventions. HISTORY OF THE LARYNGOSCOPE.In medical literature before the middle of the eighteenth century no mention is made of an instrument or apparatus resembling the laryngoscope, but recent excavations at Pompeii have brought to light small polished metal mirrors attached to slender handles which are supposed to have been used to inspect the cavities of the human body. The first authenticated attempt at laryngoscopy and rhinoscopy was made by the distinguished French accoucheur M. Levret in the year 1743, who invented, among other surgical instruments, an apparatus by means of which polypoid growths in the cavities of the nose, throat, ear, etc. could be seen, and a ligature be passed around them for their removal.1 This apparatus consisted mainly of a polished metal mirror which "reflected the luminous rays in the direction of the tumor," and on whose surface the image of the growth was seen to be reflected. The great value of this apparatus for the diagnosis and treatment of nasal and laryngeal diseases was, however, not recognized, and it shared the fate of many other valuable discoveries which were made before the world was ready to receive them: it was forgotten. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 53305
Author: Pepper, William
Release Date: Oct 17, 2016
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Editor: Pepper, William, 1843-1898 , Starr, Louis, 1849-1925