University Health Network - Academy of Medicine Collection
Category
Diagnostic & Treatment Artifacts
Classification
Cardiology
Accession Number
1969.76.1 a-t
Description
A polygraph in a black leather lined case (s) with wrist cuff and receptor for radial pulsation; two sets of pens, one roll of paper; two bottles of ink, a brush for loading pens, rubber tubing and membrane; (a) is the main mechanism; (b) receiver to attach to wrist for radial pulsation, with leath…
A polygraph in a black leather lined case (s) with wrist cuff and receptor for radial pulsation; two sets of pens, one roll of paper; two bottles of ink, a brush for loading pens, rubber tubing and membrane; (a) is the main mechanism; (b) receiver to attach to wrist for radial pulsation, with leather straps and buckles; (c) mechanism to receive pulsations and transmit to pens; (d) roller for paper; (e) roll of paper; (f) support for (d); (g,h) drums to attach to (b); (i) drum to place on body to record other pulsation; (j,k) long pens with cylindrical reservoir to attach to (c); (l) long pen with trough reservoir; (m,n) short pens with cylindrical reservoir to attach to timer on (a); (o) round brass weight; (p) small case with single latch, to hold pens; (q,r) ink bottles; (t) brush; included but not numbered is a drum, three short pens with trough reservoirs to fit to timer on (a), and a pointed stylet (for cleanong pens?).
Number Of Parts
20
Part Names
a - main mechanism
b - receiver
c - mechanism to receive pulsations
d - roller for paper
e - roll of paper
f - support
g - drum
h - drum
i - round drum
j - long pen
k - long pen
l - long pen and reservoir
m - short pen
n - short pen
o - brass weight
p - small case - Size: Length 13.3 cm x Width 2.9 cm x Depth 2.5 cm
q - ink bottle - Size: Length 5.7 cm x Diam. 3.5 cm
r - ink bottle - Size: Length 5.7 cm x Diam. 3.5 cm
s - case - Size: Length 26.0 cm x Width 14.5 cm x Depth 9.5 cm
t - brush - Size: Length 16.5 cm
Provenance
Acquired from the Academy of Medicine; source unknown.
Complete; rubber membranes deteriorating; some diaphragms missing; rubber tubing short; timing mechanism works; #2: leather is deteriorating.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Comments
Kny-Scheerer catalogue, p. 1085 (almost identical to A1-3884 "Mackenzie's Ink Polygraph" but one drum is a different shape)
Research Facts
"The instrument records 2 tracings synchronously, the radial pulsation, and one other, the carotid, jugular, apex beat, respiration, etc. It is not attached to the patient's wrist directly, a receiver following the movements of the pulse. Permanent ink tracings are obtained of almost any length from the long roll of paper supplied. The ink is a non-corrosive mixture of methylene blue and water. THe clockwork operates at variable speeds, the time being marked at 1/5 of a second." (Kny-Scheerer)