References
REFERENCES DEALING WITH MEDICAL ANTIQUES
​This page identifies references for collecting medical antiques.These texts are most useful for researching stethoscopes and instruments for percussion.
"Antique Medical Instruments"
by Elisabeth Bennion
University of California Press, 1979, ISBN 0-85667-052-9
Although this reference is now out of print, many antique medical book stores
have it available. It is a classic reference on medical antiques, including stethoscopes.
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"American Armamentarian Chgirurgicum"
by George Tiemann & Co.
This reproduction of the 1889 Tiemann catalog; "American Armamentarium Chirurgicum"
is a very useful reference on medical antiques and stethoscopes.
"An Ear To The Chest: An Illustrated History Of The Evolution Of The Stethoscope"
by M. Donald Blaufox, M.D., Ph.D.
The Parthenon Publishing Group, 2002, ISBN: 1-85070-278-0
Dr. Blaufox has written a concise review of the history of the stethoscope.
It has abundant illustrations and photos of stethoscopes along with descriptions
of the origin of each model. An extremely valuable source of the history of the stethoscope.
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"To See With A Better EYE: A Life Of R.T.H. Laennec"
by Jacalyn Duffin, M.D., Ph.D.
Princeton University Press, 1998, ISBN:0-691-03708-6
This book a wonderful description of Laennec's
life and work in the development of the stethoscope.
Dr. Duffin has written a book that is a must for all
collectors of medical antiques and medical historians.
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"Antique Medical Instruments"
by C. Keith Wilbur, M.D.
Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 1987, ISBN:0-7643-0550-6
Dr. Wilbur has produced a wonderful reference. The text has extensive illustrations and
explanations. The book comes with a price guide, which does not reflect market prices,
but you can get the idea of the relative rarity of the pieces.
"Civil War Medical Instruments And Equipment Volumes I, II & III"
by Gordon Dammann, D.D.S.
Pictorial Histories Publishing Company, 1983, 1988, 1997, ISBN: 0-9333126-32-8
These three volumes make a nice pictorial history of Civil War medical instruments.
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"American Surgical Instruments"
by James M. Edmonson, Ph.D.
Norman Publishing, 1997, ISBN:0-930405-70-6
Dr. Edmonson is the curator of the Dittrick Museum of Medical History in Cleveland,
Ohio. He has compiled the best reference available for dating American manufactured
medical items. This is the most complete reference available, including great historical
essays and pictures from many museums as well as private dealers.
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"Medicine and its Technology"
by Audrey B. Davis
Greenwood Press, 1981, ISBN:0-313-22807-8
Ms. Davis traces the evolution of medical instrumentation and the book includes
an extensive chapter on the stethoscope with a comprehensive bibliography.
"The Young Stethoscopist"
by Henry I. Bowditch
Hafner Publishing, 1964, ISBN 63-16676
This book was originally published in 1846 and was reprinted in 1964. It was a
textbook for the study of physical diagnosis by medical students and contains a
chapter on the different types of stethoscopes.
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"The Finest Instruments Ever Made "
by Audrey B. Davis and Mark S. Dreyfuss
Medical History Publishing Associates I, 1988, ISBN: 0-9616748-0-
This book is a bibliography of medical, dental, optical and pharmaceutical company trade
literature from 1700-1939. It is an extensive reference on medical and surgical instrument catalogues.
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