Until the early 19th century, it was completely common for doctors to place their ear directly on a patient's exposed chest in order to listen to the heartbeat. The stethoscope had not been invented yet.
Abel Faivre - La consulation
In fact, the physical proximity to the naked patient in this examination method was also the crucial reason for the development of the stethoscope. In 1816, the French physician René Laennec found it uncomfortable to place his ear on the naked breast of a young female patient. Without further ado, he converted a paper roll into an ear trumpet.
He quickly realized the potential of his invention, as he could hear the patient's heartbeat even better than before. He then developed the first stethoscope. The wooden ear trumpet is the forerunner of modern stethoscopes and dates back to 1820. Today it can be seen in the Science Museum, London.
