Endoscope (for aural, rectal or urethral use) with three short and two long specula and lamp, in leather covered wooden case
A physician uses an endoscope to look into body cavities. This is to examine a patient and diagnose disease. Specialised endoscopes have different designs and names according to what part of the body they look at, for example the throat, rectum or bladder.
This endoscope comes with attachments, called specula. These are for aural, rectal or urethral use. An endoscope uses a light source, in this case a lighted wick, to illuminate the cavity via reflective surfaces. The light bounces off an angled mirror inside the endoscope. This projects the light and enables the physician to see into the body.
In 1865, British physician John Brunton (1835–1899) described using a modified endoscope or ‘auriscope’ to examine the ear. This instrument is a development of Brunton’s auriscope (see A647320).
Details
- Category:
- Clinical Diagnosis
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A600267
- Materials:
- complete, metal (silvered), brass (copper, zinc alloy), leather and velvet
- Measurements:
-
overall - endoscope: 68 mm x 320 mm x 111 mm, .26 kg
overall - case closed: 88 mm x 213 mm x 128 mm, .506 kg
overall case open: 170 mm x 213 mm x 175 mm,
overall - nozzle: 51 mm 22 mm, .01 kg
- type:
- endoscope
- credit:
- Boulange