Piorry stethoscopes
The Piorry stethoscope evolved to have a thinner stem without an extension piece and was about half the size of Laennec's. It was trumpet shaped, made of wood, and had a removable wood plug, ivory earpiece and chest piece. The ivory chest piece also served as a pleximeter. Most stethoscopes made after 1830 were modeled after the Piorry design. And the Piorry stethoscope was the inspiration for Sir Oliver Wendell Holmes to write his "STETHOSCOPE SONG."
Cased Piorry Stethoscope made of cedar and ivory with Percussion Hammer, circa 1835. On the right the assembled stethoscope and hand carved ebony percussion hammer with cork tip are shown taken out of the case.
Later model Piorry stethoscope made from ebony. The stethoscope is taken apart showing the ivory pleximeter with finger grasps and a smaller ivory ear plate, c. 1840
Typical Piorry Stethoscope made from cedar. In the middle the stethoscope is taken apart showing the main stem, plug that inserts into the funnel shaped chest end, ivory chest piece also used as a pleximeter and ivory earpiece that screws onto the stem as the ear plate, c. 1830. On the right it is assembled for auscultation.
Elliotson's adaptation of the Piorry stethoscope, c. 1835. On the right it is put together for carrying and the left taken apart showing individual pieces, including the ivory/wood plug that is inserted into the funnel chest piece, ivory ear plate that is screwed onto the ear end of the stem and a ivory cap that is used as a thimble percussor.