A scientist of the last century was reputed to have remarked that until biology records data in visual form its place in science may be questioned. Dr. McKusick's work converts the information of the honorable art of auscultation into visual form.
To any physician using a stethoscope, this book will be useful. To one especially interested in diseases of the heart, its information is vital. For any teacher of physical diagnosis, it is mandatory.
The major part of the book records the author's unique experience of several years of recording heart sounds by the spectral phonocardiogram. The parameters of time, pitch, and intensity are well displayed for study in this method of recording data. In addition, full references to the work of others using standard sound recording devices and illustrations of their recordings are present in the book.
A most interesting and pleasantly written chapter on the history of cardiovascular