Brief Description

Bausch and Lomb Microtome, used on paraffin or celloid in embedded sections. Chuck moved back and forth on bed, by action of a crank and wheel. Metal frame, painted and plated, mounted on a wooden plate. Made by Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., New York, patented 1903, serial number 5019.

History of Object

Materials and Finishes

Metal (painted and plated); wood (varnished).

References

Brief Description

Reichert Microtome used for frozen sections or for cutting material mounted in celloidin, 1895 model. Probably used ether as a refrigerant. Made by C. Reichert, Vienna, Austria.

History of Object

Materials and Finishes

Brass and steel (painted).

References

Association card: Barker, C. (United Kingdom)

Brief Description

Swift sliding microtome, used on large sections imbedded in celloidin. Made by Swift and Son, London, United kingdom c1890.

History of Object Unknown.

Materials and Finishes

Metal (painted), brass and cork.

References

Not identified.

Brief Description

Cathcart freezing microtome, using ether as a refrigerant. Chuck adjusted by screw, glass ether reservoir secured to side. Instrument has a wooden body, brass clamp & screw, glass ledges. Steel with a wooden grip. Separate knife has steel blade and wooden handle.

History of Object

Used by Dr. Crawford Henry Mollison, Lecturer in Forensic Medicine, University of Melbourne, 1904 to 1943.

Materials and Finishes

Wood (varnished), brass, steel, glass and rubber.

References

Supplementary file.
Association card: Mollison, Crawford Henry, Dr. (1863 - 1949), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Association file.

Brief Description

Cathcart freezing microtome, using ether as a refrigerant. Chuck has screw adjustment and glass ether reservoir secured to the side. Instrument has a cast metal body painted black with glass ledges. Separate knife has a steel blade and wooden handle. Probably made about 1920. Stored in wooden case.

History of Object

This is one of the earliest machines used for cutting frozen sections. This example was used by Basil Kilvington (1877 - 1947), the donor was his son.

Materials and Finishes

Metal (painted and plated), glass and rubber.

References

Dating information from Dennis Cahill, 6 April 1984.

Brief Description

Cambridge freezing microtome, using ether as a refrigerant. Consists of a metal frame and glass ether reservoir mounted on a wooden handle. Made by the Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company, 1884.

History of Object

An early form of freezing microtome, with manual advance.

Materials and Finishes

Metal, brass and steel.

References

See Supplementary file for negatives and prints showing this microtome on display.

Brief Description

Leitz sledge microtome with sledge actuated by a hand driven sprocket and chain. Has a metal body with heavy base plate, sprocket and handle mounted on a bar at one end. Made by E. Leitz, Wetzlar, Germany, about 1900.

History of Object

Microtome was used by the Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne. Used in celloidin work, but has a spare clamp for paraffin sections.

Materials and Finishes

Metal (painted).

References

Brief Description

Spencer rotary microtome, with wheel mounted on side. Has a hinge lid with directions for use and diagram on paper glued to inside. Made of metal, by the Spencer Lens Company, Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. Serial number 427.

History of Object

The best and most commonly used machine of its time. This instrument was in constant use in the Histology Department of Melbourne University until the 1950s. Operated on the same principal as the sledge microtome.

Materials and Finishes

Metal (painted).

References

Brief Description

Minot rotary microtome made by Zimmerman, Leipzig, Germany, 1906. Microtome has a metal body with the blade mounted between holding screws at one end. Has a hand operated turning wheel at one side.

History of Object

An early form of the rotary microtome.

Materials and Finishes

Metal (painted), steel and wood.

References

Brief Description

Wingfield and Rowbotham razor with hollow, ground metal blade with hinge for folding into synthetic handle. Has angel, harp and crown etched on blade. Made by Wingfield and Rowbotham, Sheffield, United Kingdom.

History of Object

Materials and Finishes

Steel and synthetic.

References

For further information see; Cole's Section Cutting Microtomes, registration numbers 15 and 16.

Brief Description

Cole's section cutting microtome with 2 brass plates, a central metal dish, screw for fixing to table and an adjustable well, with calibrated stops.

History of Object

One of the first instruments used for cutting thin sections. For further information and directions for use, see Medical History Collection item 16.

Materials and Finishes

Metal and brass.

References

Brief Description

Cole's section cutting microtome with two brass plates, a central wood block with a screw for fixing to table and an adjustable well, with no calibration. Made by Kemp and Company, Edinburgh about 1880.

History of Object

One of the first instruments for the precise cutting of thin sections. The directions were as follows: "Screw the microtome firmly to the table and with the brass tube supplied punch out a cylinder of carrot to fit into the well. Cut this in half longitudinally and scrape out enough space in one half of the carrot to take the specimen: then place the other half of the carrot in position and make sure that the specimen is held firmly between them, but it must not be crushed. Now put the cylinder of carrot and specimen into the well of the microtome and commence cutting the section. A good razor will do, but it is better to use the knife which Messers. Watson supply with the microtome."

Materials and Finishes

Brass and wood (polished).

References

Hogg: The Microscope

Brief Description

Cambridge rocking microtome has a rectangular metal base with blade mounted at one end and adjusting mechanism for specimen holding rod. Made in 1887.

History of Object

The Cambridge rocking microtome was probably the best known of all microtomes. It was used for many years in laboratories throughout the world.

Materials and Finishes

Metal (painted) and brass.

References

Brief Description

Naples inclined plane, using the sledge principle. Rectangular metal dish base, supporting two beds for sliding blade and other, back and forth, has brass fittings. Made by Jung, Heidelberg, Germany, 1886. Naples plane operated using the sledge principle.

History of Object

This was an efficient machine using the sledge principal. The hallowed base plate served to collect the alcohol used as a lubricant when cutting celloidin. Object clamp is a "Naples" type.

Materials and Finishes

Metal (painted) and brass.

References

Brief Description

Williams ice and salt freezing microtome, consisting of three main parts:
1. Cylindrical wooden base with glass top.
2. Knife holder (probably incomplete), knife missing.
3. Bench bracket.

History of Object

This example of the Williams freezing microtome is heavily modified. The specimen stand fits into the central hole. The knife (missing) is held in the brass D- shaped frame. The level of cutting is adjusted by the screw on the curve of the D. The machine, not very efficient, was soon discarded.

Materials and Finishes

Wood (stained & polished), glass, metal, brass and synthetic.

References

Bracegirdle, B. "A History of Microtechnique", p. 14.
Supplementary file.

Brief Description

Bausch and Lomb freezing microtome, using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant and consisting of a metal body, painted black, with swiveling blade, bracket and screw for bench mounting. Gas supplied via rubber hose and connection. Made by Bausch and Lomb Optical Company c.1940.

History of Object

Item is also known as a clinical microtome. The small wrench (21.2) is used to regulate the carbon dioxide flow.

Materials and Finishes

Metal (painted and plated) and brass.

References

Brief Description

Hand-held blade for use with simple microtome. Wood-clad steel blade.

History of Object

Materials and Finishes

Steel and wood.

References

Brief Description

Cathcart freezing microtime with atomising chamber, large micrometer wheel, and glass slides. Can be clamped to bench, but has no clamps present.

History of Object

Materials and Finishes

Wood, brass, metal and rubber.

References

Book: Bracegirdle, Brian, 1978. "A History of Micro-technique", pp. 18405, plate 35; pp.202-3, figures 39 and 40.

Brief Description

Jung ?lever-operated ?sledge microtome by Jung of Heidelberg.

History of Object

Number stamped in, "14062".

Materials and Finishes

Steel (coated) and metal.

References

Book: Bracegirdle, Brian, 1978. "A History of Micro-Technique", p.239, Fig. 89 - depicts a Jung, but not this particular model.

Brief Description

Brass hand-held microtome with black glass top. Flat disk attached to thin cylinder with screw-on top. Circular section on disk moves up and down by screw attachment on cylinder.

History of Object

This item was originally donated to the Medical Society of Victoria (which later became part of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Medical Association). The A.M.A. donated its historical collection of documents and artifacts to the University of Melbourne's Medical History Museum in 1994.

Materials and Finishes

Brass and glass.

References