Should Auscultation Be Rehabilitated?

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Abstract
IN this issue of the Journal, Lembo et al. provide a convincing report on the efficacy of auscultation in the bedside diagnosis of systolic murmurs.1 A high degree of accuracy was achieved in a group of 50 patients with a variety of cardiac abnormalities. Reports on the value of auscultation have practically disappeared from the medical literature, as has interest in the subject among physicians in practice and in training. The studies of Lembo et al. suggest that we should reevaluate this time-honored technique. Should it be reserved for the occupational therapy of a dwindling coterie of antiquarians, or . . .