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RefNoAP/38/6
LevelFile
TitlePaper, 'A description of a new sphygmoscope, an instrument for indicating the movements of the heart and blood-vessels; with an account of observations obtained by the aid of that instrument' by S [Somerville] Scott Alison
CreatorAlison; Somerville Scott (1813-1877); Scottish physician
Date12 January 1856
DescriptionAlison describes the sphygmoscope, 'a small chamber containing spirits of wine or other liquid, provided with a thin india-rubber wall, where it is to be applied to the chest. At the opposite extremity the chamber communicates with a glass tube, which rises to some height above the level of the chamber. Liquid is supplied to the instrument until it stands in the tube a little above the level of the chamber. The pressure of the column of liquid in the tube acts upon the elastic or‘yielding wall of india-rubber and causes it to protrude. This protruding part or chest-piece is very readily affected by external impulse; it yields to the slightest touch, and being pushed inwards, causes a displacement of the liquid in the non-elastic chamber, and forces a portion of liquid up the tube'.

Includes three figures in the text of the sphygmoscope. Annotations in pencil and ink throughout.

Subject: Scientific apparatus and instruments

Received 12 January 1856. Communicated by G O [George Owen] Rees.

This paper was published in full in volume 8 of volume 8 of the Proceedings of the Royal Society as 'A description of a new sphygmoscope, an instrument for indicating the movements of the heart and blood-vessels; with an account of observations obtained by the aid of that instrument'.
Extent21p
FormatDrawing
Manuscript
PhysicalDescriptionInk and graphite pencil on paper
Digital imagesView item on Science in the Making
AccessStatusOpen
RelatedMaterialDOI: 10.1098/rspl.1856.0008
Fellows associated with this archive
CodePersonNameDates
NA3832Rees; George Owen (1813 - 1889)1813 - 1889
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