J Hist Neurosci. 2026 Sep 21:1-9. doi: 10.1080/0964704X.2026.2726436. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Journal of the History of the Neurosciences is inaugurating a new column titled, "History of Instruments and Technology in the Clinical Neurosciences," especially involving the diagnosis or therapy of neurologic diseases to the mid-twentieth century. Except for neurosurgical instruments, which date from antiquity, and the ophthalmoscope (invented in 1851), most neurological instruments were developed after 1860. Although physicians were reluctant to consider themselves as technicians, by the late-nineteenth century, physicians no longer practiced without special facilities and apparatus. Neurologic specialization, with its greater pecuniary rewards and social prestige, depended heavily on technological developments. Indeed, early neurologic specialists found it necessary to develop and adopt a wide variety of diagnostic technologies to facilitate or quantitate the neurologic examination, which helped not only to diagnose disease states but to justify their larger fees. Many late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century neurologists collaborated with instrument makers to create or improve diagnostic and therapeutic neurological instruments as instrument makers transitioned from artisanal hand-crafting to mass production. Despite the benefits of the new instruments, many clinicians grew irritated by the time and effort required to use these neurological instruments and document the results of their use.
PMID:42765321 | DOI:10.1080/0964704X.2026.2726436