| Reference Number | MIMM/2009-1/200 |
| Title | Ophthalmic and Otoscopic Diagnostic Set |
| Date | 1925-1975 |
| Creator Name | Gowllands Ltd.; c.1900-; medical devices manufacturer |
| Description | Inside the wooden case, with its internal purple velvet lining, are various examination tools.
These include an otoscope with light, engraved with "Gowllands Made in England," and attachments for examining the ear canal and eardrum.
There is a vulcanite ophthalmoscope head for inspecting the retina and other parts of the eye, featuring white ink writing that reads "MAY Improved Ophthalmoscope" on the top. It also has a rotating mechanism with a circular, textured dial that allows the user to change the focus of the lenses. Through the hole, numbers can be read as engraved in white or red ink, ranging from 0 to 20, with both positive (+) and negative (-) values. These numbers correspond to lens powers in dioptres and enable precise adjustments for focusing at different depths, accommodating refractive errors in the practitioner's or patient’s vision. A small fenestration (window) at the centre clearly displays the selected number, ensuring accuracy during use.
Additionally, the set includes an angled light, two laryngeal mirrors, a laryngeal mirror, and an adjustable speculum with a screwing mechanism.
All of these components fit into the metal handle, which has a screw/insertion body designed to accommodate a battery. The handle features a sliding white button engraved with "OFF." Each attachment can be securely fastened to the handle thanks to a spring mechanism at its tip. At its bottom, it is engraved "Gowllands Made in England."
The wooden case features a fabric-like covering and is heavily damaged, with the lid components unglued and held together by some cotton tape dressing. |
| Extent | 7 parts |
| Dimensions | Case: 190mm x 40mm x 190mm |
Otoscope (handle): 55mm x 25mm
Detachable tips: 45mm x 25mm
Specula: 50mm x 20mm
Mirrors: 60mm x 20mm |
| Light: 180mm x 5mm |
| Ophtalmoscope: 100 x 40mm |
| Handle: 150mm x 25mm |
| Digital Collections | View online in our digital collections |
| Copyright | Free to use under the terms of the Creative Commons Licence Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) |
| Credit Line | Royal College of Physicians of Ireland |
| Object Name | Otoscope |
| Ophthalmoscope |
| Term | Physical Examination |
| Ophthalmology -- instrumentation |
| Otolaryngology -- instrumentation |