Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Rochester NY, Pat. Oct. 3, 1876, #1078

The Physician's model microscope, c. 1879 (first form)

Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Rochester NY, Pat. Oct. 3, 1876. Serial No. 1078. The Physician's model microscope, c. 1879
Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Rochester NY, Pat. Oct. 3, 1876. Serial No. 1078. The Physician's model microscope, c. 1879
Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Rochester NY, Pat. Oct. 3, 1876. Serial No. 1078. The Physician's model microscope, c. 1879
microscope in the case
patent

Gundlach patent Dec. 25, 1877

patent

Gundlach patent Oct. 3, 1876

From the Bausch & Lomb Price List of Microscopes, 1879:


The Physicians model microscope, c. 1879

Physician's microscope

The stand of this microscope is firm and well balance, finely finished, and of superior workmanship throughout. It is a microscope best adapted for use by physicians and students of histology, and it is extensively used at present by professional men, and in many of our most prominent institutions of learning. Heavy japanned cast iron foot, of neat design and finish, inlaid on the under surface with three soft rubber pads. Strong brass pillar and arm, both connected by a well fitting joint which allows the body to incline to any angle. Pillar and arm so marked as to indicate the correct inclination of the body for the use of the camera lucida. Draw tube, having a range of 2 1/2 inches, and supplied with a stop when drawn to standard length. It is nickel plated and has a firm but perfectly smooth movement. Coarse adjustment by rack and pinion, free from either lateral or lost motion. Fine adjustment by sensitive micrometer screw, acting upon our patent movement as described above. Large stand, free from tremor, and supplied with substage to receive diaphragm, polarizer, etc. The diaphragm receives three extra caps, having apertures of 1/2, 1 1/2, and 2 1/2 millimeters, and so fitted that they are in the correct center of the field and just below the plane of the stage. Two eyepieces, "A" and "C", the latter arranged with a slot to receive eyepiece micrometer. Eyepieces furnished mounted either in hard rubber or brass, at the purchasers option. Two objectives, 3/4 inch and 1/5 inch, camera lucida and eyepiece micrometer, walnut case.


An ealier version of this microscope was sold having a hard rubber (Volcanite) stage instead of the glass stage. It was otherwise similar to the microscope shown on this page.


This microscope was the property of Cyrus Ballou Comstock (1831-1910). It was purchased for this collection from one of his descendents.

General Cyrus Comstock graduated at West Point in 1855, in the Engineers, and served through all grades in that corps to the rank of Colonel and was brevetted Brigadier General U.S.A and Major General of Volunteers. In the Civil War, he was engaged in many of the principal battles. He served as Chief Engineer of the Army of the Potomac, Senior Engineer at the surrender of Vicksburg, as Chief Engineer at the assault and capture of Fort Fisher, and was senior aide-de-camp to Lt.General Ulysses S. Grant. Promoted Brigadier General, U.S.A. on retired list April 23, 1904.

General Comstock was a member of the Permanent Board of Engineers in New York City, for many years member and President of the Mississippi River Commission, and author of Primary Triangulation of the United States Lake Survey. In later years, he was a member of National Academy of Sciences. He bequeathed to the Academy a fund to support an award for innovative work in the investigation of electricity, magnetism, or radiant energy. Today, it is known as the Comstock Prize in Physics and it is awarded by the Academy every five years.


Two other later versions of the Physician's model from 1889 and 1883 are also represented in this collection. The microscope shown on this page was the earliest version. It was designed by Ernst Gundlach while employed by Bausch & Lomb.

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