What Is the Most Underappreciated Medical Invention In History?

What Is the Most Underappreciated Medical Invention In History?

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Jack Ende, president, American College of Physicians

Light, relatively inexpensive, and so attractive whether draped around the neck or dangling down the chest, the stethoscope connects doctors to patients, and to their organs. What could be more valuable as we struggle with escalating costs in health care and concerns about the eroding relationship between doctors and patients?

Jennifer Doudna, co-inventor, crispr, and co-author,A Crack in Creation

Blood typing allows us to safely and routinely perform sensitive procedures such as transfusions and transplant surgery. Since its invention more than 100 years ago, it has saved countless lives and continues to underpin our understanding of human biology.

McKinley Belcher III, actor, Mercy Street

Step back in time to any Civil War hospital, and you might witness nearly as many soldiers dying from infection as from battle wounds.