NYMC Archives

Sahli-Hemometer

This device was used to measure the condition of blood by visually counting the number of cells in a blood sample under a microscope. Used in the United States.

Stereoscope

The stereoscope is an instrument holding two photographs of the same object. Each photograph is taken at a marginally different angle and, once observed together, create the effect of a 3D image. Used in New York, New York, United States.

Stereoscope Stand

This is part of the wooden stand that holds the stereo card in the handheld version of the stereoscope. Used in New York, New York, United States.

Medical Student's Neurology Notes

This 300-page notebook contains a medical student’s notes taken during a Neurology lecture.

Blood Pressure Cuff

In 1905, Russian surgeon Nikolai Korotkoff articulated the importance of auscultator sounds, which became the basis for the auscultator technique (tapping sounds heard with a stethoscope as the cuff is slowly deflated) the most common...

Dermatology Instructional Stereoscopic Sliders

These instructional cards were placed inside the stereoscope and exhibited content and pictures.

Enema Administrator

This device may have been used for bowel cleansing before a medical procedure. It may have also been used as an alternative route to direct medicine into the bloodstream.

Glass X-Ray Images

X-rays were discovered in 1895 by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen of Germany. Only six months after Roentgen's discovery, X-rays were being used during battle to locate bullets in soldiers.

Scarificator

The scarificator was a multi-blade device used for bloodletting. Rotary blades released by triggers spun and caused shallow cuts. The scarificator was considered one of the least painful devices for bloodletting.

Stereoscope Sliders

These instructional cards were placed inside the stereoscope and exhibited content and pictures.

Surgical Sound Box

This wooden box holds several surgical sounds. Belonged to Dr. Eugene Saberski's grandfather. Used in Germany.

Surgical Sounds

This surgical sound is an instrument used for probing and dilating tapered passages in the body. Belonged to Dr. Eugene Saberski's grandfather. Used in Germany.

Thoracentesis Set

This kit was used to remove fluid or air from the pleural space, the cavity of the chest wall between the heart and lungs. Used in New York, NY, United States.

Tycos Sphygmomanometer

This tool was first created in 1881 by Samuel Karl Ritter von Basch to measure arterial blood pressure. Used in Toronto, Canada & Rochester, New York, United States.

Apothecary Kit

In the early 19th century apothocaries were still uncommon. Families would have to administer medications themselves for standard ailments. It became convenient for physicians to carry a kit containing several powders and medications, as...

Glass X-rays and Wooden Case

X-rays were discovered in 1895 by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen of Germany. Only six months after Roentgen's discovery, x-rays were being used during wartime battles to locate bullets within soldiers. Used in Meadville, PA, USA.

Pocket Eye Kit

This pocket eye surgical kit may have dated from the Civil War. It contains surgical eye scalpels and tiny magnifying glasses. Used in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

X-rays

Ocular Refraction Device

This tool was used to measure refractive error, which occurs when the shape of the eye fails to bring light into focus on the retina, causing blurred vision. Once the error was measured, corrective lenses could be created.

$Ocular Refraction Device$

Syphygmo-Oscillometer

This instrument was used by physicians to determine the measurement of both the systolic (maximum) and diastolic (minimum) blood pressure rates. Used in New York, USA.

Syphygmo-Oscillometer Box

The packaging for the Syphygmo-Oscillometer.

Medical Instrument Sterilization Bowl

By 1870, sterilization had become an important practice in the medical profession. Early surgical tools and instrument handles were made of wood and ivory. However, these materials could not withstand high heat, so manufacturers began to...

Doctor's Bag

These glass cups are stored in a leather doctor's bag and were used for the procedure called "Cupping". Cupping was the removal of blood from the patient. These glass cups may have been hand blown as no two cups are alike. Used in Yonkers...

Glass Cups with Doctor's Bag

These glass cups were stored in a leather doctor's bag and used for a procedure called "cupping". Cups were placed on the patient’s skin causing suction. Cupping was thought to mobilize the blood and improve circulation and was often used...

Obstetrical Forceps

Uterine forceps were developed by Peter Chamberlen, the obstetrician-surgeon to Queen Henrietta, wife of King Charles I of England. They assisted in difficult births by rotating an infant’s head when the cervix was fully dilated. This...

Obstetrical Forceps

The uterine forceps was developed by Peter Chamberlen, the obstetrician-surgeon to Queen Henrietta wife of King Charles I of England. It was created to help in the most difficult childbirths by rotating an infant’s head when the woman was...

Otoscope and Laryngoscope Box

A box set containing an otoscope and a laryngoscope.

Laryngoscope

This instrument was designed to examine the larynx, with insertion through the mouth.

Otoscope

This device is part of an otoscope which is a medical instrument used to look into the ear. The range of an otoscope could be from the surface of the ear to the ear drum. Used in Rochester, NY, USA.

Hypodermic Syringe

Hypodermic syringes administer medication under the skin in small doses. Early syringes were made of metal, but by 1866 they were made from glass, enabling the physician to see how much of the drug was left.

Vaginal Speculum

This instrument is a hollow cylinder that is inserted inside of a woman’s cervix to dilate the cervix and allow examination. Used in New York, NY, USA.

Doctor's Saddle Bag

This bag is made of leather and was favored by doctors making home visits to patients via horseback.

Ether Administrator

Ether is a flammable liquid that was used to treat many medical conditions before it was used as a general anesthetic during surgery. This device was used to administrator ether.

Chloroform Dropper

Chloroform, like ether, was created in the 1840's. It was preferrable to ether as it is not flammable. Chloroform was extremely important during the Civil War as doctors completed thousands of amputations and surgeries on wounded soldiers...

Doctor's Paired Saddle Bag

This paired saddle bag attached to the saddle and each side would lie on the hip of the horse, making the bag easier to transport.

Thomas Perforator

The Thomas perforator was used for craniotomy in either a dead infant (when one tried to avoid a Cæsarean section in the mother) or in a pregnancy with a child who had developed severe hydrocephalus (even in those cases, needle puncture...

Surgical Probe

A surgical tool used to explore organs, body tissue and wounds. Unknown manufacturer.

Medicine Bag

This is a leather doctor's bag that holds numerous glass medicine bottles.

Ophthalmoscope

The ophthalmoscope was invented by Hermann Von Helmholtz in 1851. It was the first instrument that allowed physicians to illuminate the retina to examine problems such as detached retinas, glaucoma and tumors. Used in New York, NY United...

Surgical Probe

A probe was commonly used along with a director (a tool used to direct another surgical tool to a location that is out of sight) or surgical scoop. As there was limited knowledge of human anatomy in the 18th and 19th centuries, probes were...

Trephine

This instrument is a hand powered saw with a circular blade used to remove pieces of bone from the skull. There is a spike in the center that is used to start and hold the blade in place while piercing.

Caliper

The caliper has two thin, rounded probes with a measuring dial in the center, typically used for measuring a baby's head.The caliper has two thin, rounded probes with a measuring dial in the center, typically used for measuring a baby's...

Irrigation Syringe

This syringe may have been used for low pressure cleansing of bacteria around a wound.

Medicine Bag

This is a leather doctor's bag that holds numerous glass medicine bottles.

Stethoscope

Sounds made by the human body have long been considered clues to detecting disease. In 1816, the French physician Rene Laennec invented what we know today as the stethoscope while examining a young female patient. Laennec was too...

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NYMC Archives

Sahli-Hemometer

Stereoscope

Stereoscope Stand

Medical Student's Neurology Notes

Blood Pressure Cuff

Dermatology Instructional Stereoscopic Sliders

Enema Administrator

Glass X-Ray Images

Scarificator

Stereoscope Sliders

Surgical Sound Box

Surgical Sounds

Thoracentesis Set

Tycos Sphygmomanometer

Apothecary Kit

Glass X-rays and Wooden Case

Pocket Eye Kit

X-rays

Ocular Refraction Device

Syphygmo-Oscillometer

Syphygmo-Oscillometer Box

Medical Instrument Sterilization Bowl

Doctor's Bag

Glass Cups with Doctor's Bag

Obstetrical Forceps

Obstetrical Forceps

Otoscope and Laryngoscope Box

Laryngoscope

Otoscope

Hypodermic Syringe

Vaginal Speculum

Doctor's Saddle Bag

Ether Administrator

Chloroform Dropper

Doctor's Paired Saddle Bag

Thomas Perforator

Surgical Probe

Medicine Bag

Ophthalmoscope

Surgical Probe

Trephine

Caliper

Irrigation Syringe

Medicine Bag

Stethoscope

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