I was taught that good contact between the chest and stethoscope is essential for accurate auscultation—even to the point of wetting the chest in some particularly hirsute men. These days, I see ...

During cardiac auscultation, I have the patient lean forward, take a deep breath, and forcefully exhale. The combination of maneuvers causes retractions of the chest cavity, making the heart closer to ...

Based on: A Tabular Handbook of Auscultation and Percussion for Students and Physicians. By Herbert C. Clapp, A. M., M. D., Instructor in Auscultation and Percussion ...

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is an important problem in developing countries; however, many cases are detected only when the disease has progressed to cardiac failure. Screening can ...