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Heartometer Diagnostic Disks and Manual

Ten diagnostic disks and a manual for the Cameron Heartometer. The disks are 9.25″ in diameter. The Heartometer instrument shown in last image is not part of this listing! We’ve owned several Heartometers over the years but not disks or a manual. We are offering 10 diagnostic disks and the manual,  all in very good condition. The fourth image shows an illustration of  a disk with a diagnoses; there are a number of these diagnostic disks illustrations in the Read More...

C1920s Contraceptive Sponge

An unused 1920s contraceptive sponge in its original case (diameter of case= 1.5″ or 3.75cm approx.).The marine sponge was held in cotton netting with a  string  attached to aid in its extraction. The case is cardboard. It was  sold as a “Sanitary Health Sponges”, or similar,  because promoting  them as a birth-control device would have violated the 19th-century law regarding what could be shipped through the mails: the so-called Comstock Laws, which are still in effect but largely not Read More...

The Binary Slide Rule

An example of celluloid circular slide rule made by the ‘Gibson Slide Rule Co. Florida, USA. One side copyrighted 1940, the other side with scales for trigonometry copyrighted in 1931, in good condition with original soft leather wallet, and instruction booklet Read More...

Ticket to 1910 Aviation Tournament held in Belmont Park, New York

A ticket to to the historic Aviation Tournament that was held in 1910 in Belmont Park, New York. This was a very important aviation meet in which major figures competed. Wiki notes:“The Belmont Park aviation meet was an international air show that took place in 1910. The Belmont Racetrack in Elmont, New York, United States, was the site of the aviation meet. The event took place over nine days and featured aerial races, and contests involving duration, distance, speed and Read More...

C1860s A Tintype of Doctor Taking Patient’s Pulse

A Civil War era Tintype( aka Ferrotype) of a doctor taking a patient’s pulse. Dimensions: 3.75″ x 2″. Read More...

Set of Ehrhardt’s 1884-patent mouth specula

A good set of Ehrhardt’s mouth specula that were patented in the US  onNovember 11, 1884. The first and last images come from an 1893 A.S. Aloe Co. catalog, suggesting that they may have been the makers of this set. We also have a set of Cole’s specula on FG, which are very similar to Erhardt’s but hinged–see link below. A set of four Cole’s 1885 US Patent throat speculums Read More...

Silver Advertising Stickpin for Oxydonor-Like Device

Wiki notes:” The Electropoise was a fake medical instrument] and sold in the United States of America by Hercules Sanche, who also invented and sold other fake instruments which were later termed as “electroquackery”[2] and included such devices as the “Oxydonor” which were claimed to remedy a range of ailments”. The great commercial success of Sanchez’s devices, despite their having no real medical benefits, apart from perhaps a placebo effect, inspired others to copy them. This silver stickpin was an Read More...

Nicholson “Princo” Sphygmomanometer, C1914

Nicholson “Princo” Sphygmomanometer,: Oak box, 8× 2.25× 1.5” which lifts lid to reveal manometer folded in half. Extends with scale to 300 mm Hg. The reservoir is at the side about 3 x .75. When the tube folds down a valve closes to prevent the loss of mercury[mercury well is empty]. The base contains directions. No cuff, rubber bulb or tubing. All the examples we have come across personally or on the web have lacked these accessories. The small Read More...

Fame and Legacy: Ramsden “Mementos” from the past 100 Years

Ramsden’s name continues in current usage, whether as the “Ramsden disk” (the exit pupil of a telescope), the “Ramsden eyepiece” (his design, with twin plano-convex lenses, the curves facing each other), or “Point Ramsden” (in present day British Columbia, named by Captain Vancouver on his 1793 explorations). Even a lunar crater bears his name, located at lunar latitude -32.9°, longitude -31.8° And much of his instrumentation has had a long productive life: his (or Troughton’s version of his) dividing Read More...

Gwathmey’s Folding Anesthesia Mask

A scarce example of Gwathmey’s Folding anesthesia Mask. Regarding this mask the Wood Library of Anesthesia’s site notes:  “Dr. James Tayloe [sic] Gwathmey (1863-1944) was a leader in making anesthesiology a highly respected medical specialty.  He is best known for writing the first comprehensive American textbook of anesthesia, in 1914.  He also invented a range of anesthesia equipment.  In 1904, he introduced this mask as one part of a resuscitation apparatus.  Gwathmey modified the Esmarch Mask to better fit the contours of Read More...

Portable Universal Equinoctial Dial

This is an instrument that consists of a brass base and a brass stand on which a semi-circular metal dial plate and gnomon are attached. The base is circular and has a felt bottom. It has a compass set into it with a central needle, engraved cardinal directions and scale around the rim graduated in degrees. Next to this, on the vertical edge of the base, there is a small rod emerging from a slot. Sliding this fixes the Read More...

19th Century American Portable Engraved Bronze Sundial

19th Century American Portable Engraved Bronze Sundial   Rare American portable sundial from the 19th century, finely engraved in bronze with inscriptions of various U.S. cities for geographical reference and calibration. This beautifully crafted instrument reflects the precision and ingenuity of 19th-century American scientific craftsmanship, combining practical function with elegant design.   The piece retains a warm natural patina and finely detailed engraving, emphasizing its authenticity and historical value.   Dimensions (closed): 10 × 10 × 4 cm (3.9 × 3.9 × 1.6 in).   A collectible 19th-century Read More...