Accession No
3137
Brief Description
May’s ophthalmoscope; made by the Surgical Manufacturing Co.; circa 1920
Origin
85 Mortimer Street West; London; England
Maker
The Surgical Manufacturing Company
Class
medical
Earliest Date
1920
Latest Date
1920
Inscription Date
Material
hide (leather); cloth (silk, velvet)
Dimensions
case length 158mm; breadth 90mm; thickness 35mm
Special Collection
Provenance
Loan changed to donation from 07/10/2008. On loan to museum from 1984 to 07/10/2008.
Inscription
‘THE SURGICAL MANUFACTURING CO.
85 MORTIMER ST. W
2 DOORS FROM GT. PORTLAND St.’
Description Notes
Semi-circular box lined with blue silk and velvet, covered with black leather; instrument with handle for batteries and circular observing disc rotating from +20 - 0 - -20; spare bulb.
Condition
References
Events
Description
Opthalmoscopes have been in use since the late 19th Century for examining the retina of the eye. Extensive training was needed to use these early instruments as they required a light source such as a gas lamp or candle and it was often difficult to recognise diseases of the retina.
Training would often involve the use of schematic eyes with interchangeable painted discs to be placed at the back of the eye to reproduce various disease patterns.
FM:40900
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