From the
Bausch & Lomb Price List of Microscopes,
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.