Scoliometer, London, England, 1874-1902

Made:
1874-1902 in England
maker:
Down Brothers
and
James Chesterman and Company
Scoliometer, metal strip with cloth tape (Chesterman) Scoliometer, metal strip with cloth tape (Chesterman) Scoliometer, metal strip with cloth tape (Chesterman)

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Scoliometer, metal strip with cloth tape (Chesterman)
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Scoliometer, metal strip with cloth tape (Chesterman)
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Scoliometer, metal strip with cloth tape (Chesterman)
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Scoliometer, metal strip with cloth tape (Chesterman), in wood case, by Down Bros. of London, 19th century

A scoliometer is used by physicians to measure the curvature of the spine. This simple Chesterman scoliometer uses a combination of a long strip of bendable metal and a tape measure in order to quantify curvature of the spine. Such curvature can be due to congenital factors, but can also be due to infectious diseases such a polio and skeletal tuberculosis.

The scoliometer was made by Down Brothers, a leading British surgical instrument maker.

Details

Category:
Clinical Diagnosis
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A606058
Materials:
boxwood, lead alloy, textile and complete
Measurements:
overall: 33 mm 56 mm, .18kg
lead tape: 17 mm 43 mm,
tape (approx length): 17 mm x 1520 mm
type:
scoliometer
credit:
Down Brothers