The use of the laryngoscope in diseases of the throat : with an appendix on rhinoscopy / by Morell Mackenzie.

  • Mackenzie, Morell, 1837-1892.
Date:
1865
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The use of the laryngoscope in diseases of the throat : with an appendix on rhinoscopy / by Morell Mackenzie. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    looking-glass) was held with the left hand, the laryngeal mirror—a glass one coated with quick- silver— was introduced with the right. By a very simple mechanism, a tongue-depressor was united with the laryngeal mirror, and thereby one of the most serious obstacles to laryngoscopy was attempted to be overcome. A spring was fixed between the shanks of the laryngeal mirror and spatula, in such a way, that, by pressing the two handles together, the tongue was de- pressed. At a later period (between the years of 1829 and 1835) Dr. Babington abandoned the attractive combination of mirror and spatula, and had mirrors made, which closely resemble those now in general use. The mirrors were made of polished steel, and were, like those now in use, inclined to the shanks at an angle of about 120°. Though Dr. Babington used his laryngo- scope on many patients, there are no cases re- corded in which the instrument was employed. Priority of publication has long been the estab- lished touchstone, by which the disputed claims of inventors have been tested. Tried by this