听诊器与西医医疗技术在近代中国的传播和接受(1844-1910)

Stethoscope and the Assimilation of Western Medicine in Modern China, 1844-1910

听诊是19世纪西方医学发展出的新的医疗技术,利用听诊器医生得以"看见"病人体内的病情,并予以辅助治疗。它是当时西医诊断胸腔疾病最有效的技术。19世纪中叶西医传入中国之后,听诊器与听诊技术也随之进入中国,对于许多中国人来说,他们最初也是通过听诊接触西方医学。本文探讨西医听诊器和听诊技术在晚清中国的传播和接受过程,指出其对于西医在近代中国立足的重要性:一方面,听诊与中医四诊中"闻诊"的相似性,是传统中国人接受西医听诊的关键,另一方面,西医听诊的"优越性"又是西医进入中国以后,得以建立自信,进行医疗扩张的有力工具。

As an effective medical appliance to chest diseases diagnosis, stethoscope was introduced into China in 19 th century by western doctors, as well as the auscultation method. This article argues that acceptance of stethoscope and auscultation method in late Qing is important for Western medicine to establish their firm foothold in China. On one hand, the similarity between western and Chinese auscultation was crucial for traditional Chinese to accept the former one. On the other hand, the superiority of the Western auscultation was a powerful tool for Western physicians to build self-confidence and expand their medicine in the remote and unfamiliar country China.