Remote technology

0 cm: In the early 1800s, doctors auscultated the heart by placing the ear on the patient's chest.

20 cm: In 1816, a rather overweight girl with heart problems shows up in the office of French physician René Laennec. Since the young woman's build prevents him from visiting her by traditional methods, Laennec rolls up some sheets of paper, rests one end on the patient's chest and his ear on the other: this is the first rudimentary stethoscope. He will later perfect some prototypes made from wooden and ebony tubes.

40 cm: After World War II, the use of rubber stethoscopes became widespread. The instrument consists of a metal plate equipped with around and flat or bell-shaped membrane, to be placed on the patient's chest or back. The two hollow tubes were connected to the plate end in two olivettes, which the doctor introduced into the ears.

Tens of miles: Since the 2000s, doctors no longer need to physically meet patients. With telemedicine, visits and consultations can take place online from a computer or smartphone, with the doctor even connected on the other side of the world.