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Einhorn's Fermentation Saccharometer for the Estimation of Sugar in Urine

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
Metadata Usage
CC0
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ad-dbce-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
Einhorn's Fermentation Saccharometer
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