A History of Cardiology: The Beat Goes On: University of Iowa Health Care

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The Beat Goes On: A History of Cardiology

Blood Pressure

In 1714, Stephen Hales opened an artery of a horse, inserted a brass tube, and measured the pressure of the blood. This was a careful, scientific experiment demonstrating that the heart exerts pressure in order to pump blood; however, another result of the experiment was the horse's death. A much safer method for measuring blood pressure was provided by Marey's wrist sphygmograph, designed in 1857, and Dudgeon's, designed in 1882. Both were giant steps forward in the search for convenient, simplified measurement of the patient's blood pressure. At the time, Dudgeon's device was so successful that it became standard equipment for the U. S. Navy.
2. Artist's visualization of Stephen Hales' successful attempt to measure the blood pressure of a horse. Courtesy of Medical Times 72 (1944), 11.

3. Marey's wrist sphygmograph, c. 1857. On loan from The University of Iowa College of Medicine.	4. Dudgeon's wrist sphygmograph, c. 1890. On loan from The University of Iowa College of Medicine.
5. Frontispiece portrait of William Harvey by the English engraver William Faithorn. Harvey, Anatomical Exercitations. 1653. Heirs of Hippocrates, 1980. Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, The University of Iowa.

Last modification date: Mon Jun 5 14:08:39 2006
URL: http://www.uihealthcare.com /depts/medmuseum/galleryexhibits/beatgoesonhistory/02bloodpressure.html