Dudgeon's sphygmograph

Research Collection Catalogue

Description: Sphygmograph contained in a rectangular box lined with velvet; the interior of the lid has material covering the underside.

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MeSH Heading: Physical Examination; Cardiology -- instrumentation; MM= Pulse -- sphygmograph

Description: Sphygmograph contained in a rectangular box lined with velvet; the interior of the lid has material covering the underside.

Part Names: a - sphygmograph - Size: Length 5.8 cm x Width 3.8 cm x Depth 5.7 cm; b - case - Size: Length 7.6 cm x Width 7.0 cm x Depth 4.6 cm

Provenance: Acquired from the Academy of Medicine; source: Dr. E.J. Noble via Dr. W.B. Spaulding.

Reference Comments: http://broughttolife.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/objects/display?id=92214

Research Facts: Blood pressure is measured and recorded using a sphygmograph. It is strapped to the wrist. The pulse beat is transmitted to a lever which records it on smoked paper. The first efficient sphygmograph was designed by Étienne-Jules Marey (1830-1904) in 1863. This example belonged to Dr Robert Ellis Dudgeon (1820-1904). He was a prominent figure in homeopathy. Dudgeon also made his own changes to Marey’s original design. It was made by instrument maker J. Gauter in 1876. In the late 1800s, physiology teachers used sphygmographs to visually demonstrate blood pressure. Instruments such as this were also valuable diagnostic aids. They were the predecessor of the modern arm cuffs physicians now use to measure blood pressure.; Similar to the one used by Sir James Mackenzie in his classic investigations."