Symptoms and signs in pulmonary medicine: old observations and new interpretations

Andre Gide wrote, "Everything has been said before, but since nobody listens we have to keep going back and beginning all over again." To a certain extent, that statement applies to the importance of accurate and systematic history taking and physical examination in clinical practice. Although we are trained in habits of comprehension and accuracy in history taking and examination of patients, periodic reminders are required to develop a diagnostic framework based on observation (inspection), palpation, percussion, and auscultation. This monograph reemphasizes the method to be pursued in the treatment of a patient with pulmonary symptoms. It consists of three parts: (1) questioning the patient about his or her medical history; (2) performing the physical examination of the respiratory system; and (3) examining the extrapulmonary signs and symptoms. Once a strong clinical framework has been constructed, its further development and refinement depend on the clinician's experience, power of observation, and systematic reading of the medical literature. Good physicians must continue to learn throughout their careers; this is the most essential element of a physician's development. Be patient, however; as Cowper said, "Knowledge, to become wisdom, needs experience."