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Petty-Stethoscope.pdf (Click here for free download of the full book)
From the back cover as written by Dr. Petty: "I entered medical school the fall of 1954, full of enthusiasm for my professional training which was about to begin. I walked down the corridors to my first class, along with my eager classmates, wearing a long starched white coat, symbolic of the physician. I can remember my first use of the stethoscope in 1955 in a series of tutorial and physical diagnosis sessions given to the sophomore students. I well recall touching my first patient as I tried to hear and understand the sounds that were transmitted to my naive ears.
From the beginning of my career, I found use of the stethoscope to be a critical part of physical examination. It also provided a spiritual bonding with my patients as my hand placed the instrument over the heart, lungs, and abdomen, as I was touching or holding the patient with my other arm. Now, some half century later, I have many memories of the fascinating and challenging patients I have examined and treated.
Also, during this 50-year period, I have had four open heart operations, five cancers (prostate, three skin, and bladder cancer). Some of these experiences as both a physician and a patient, both good and bad, are captured in this book that I have written for both doctors and the patients they serve. To do this, I have had to use a moderate amount of medical terminology, but my messages have been and will be understood by physician and patients alike."
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