Object Details
- Description (Brief)
- Fermentation saccharometers were used to estimate the amount of sugar in urine and diagnose diabetes. A small amount of yeast was mixed with 10cc of urine and then poured into the bulb of the saccharometer. The apparatus was then tilted slightly to allow the liquid to flow into the graduated tube and force the air out. If sugar was present in the urine, alcoholic fermentation would begin. The carbon dioxide gas created in the fermenting process would rise to the top of the closed tube and force the level of liquid down. The changed level of the liquid corresponded to the approximate quantity of sugar present. The percentage of sugar could be read off the graduated scale on the closed tube side of the apparatus.
- This device was developed by Dr. Max Einhorn, a gastroenterologist.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1900
- inventor
- Einhorn, Max
- maker
- Eimer and Amend
- place made
- United States: New York, New York City
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Medicine
- Health & Medicine
- Diabetes
- Credit Line
- Gift of Eleanor P. Custis
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- ID Number
- MG.M-07865.01
- catalog number
- M-07865
- accession number
- 223292
- Object Name
- kit, testing, urinary
- saccharometer
- Other Terms
- kit, testing, urinary; Diagnostic Medicine
- Physical Description
- glass (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 5 3/4 in x 2 1/4 in x 2 1/8 in; 14.605 cm x 5.715 cm x 5.3975 cm
- overall: 14 cm x 5.5 cm x 5 cm; 5 1/2 in x 2 5/32 in x 1 31/32 in
- Record ID
- nmah_735243