Phonocardiograph, Cambridge, England, 1921-1929

Phonocardiograph used at the Cardiothoracic Institute, London, made by the Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company Limited, 2 Beaumont Street, London, England, 1921-1929.

Physicians listened to and recorded the sounds of the heart and lungs using a phonocardiograph machine. It was known as the Cambridge Electrite Cardiograph. Unusual noises such as heart murmurs can indicate abnormalities within these organs. This machine was used at the Cardiothoracic Institute in London. It was made by the Cambridge Instrument Company Limited sometime between 1921 and 1929. It allowed doctors to listen to the heart and lungs via binaural stethoscopes. The machine also printed a trace of the patient’s heart beat to assist diagnosis.