Glass syringe designed by Joseph Lister, United Kingdom, 1871-1878
This glass syringe was used and invented by Joseph Lister (1827-1912) in his experiments on the souring of milk. He discovered that milk straight from animals is generally free from bacteria. When milk soured, he found the micro-organisms present were of the same type, which he named Bacterium lactis. The syringe could measure one or more hundredths of a minim. A minim is equivalent to 0.062ml – a very precise measurement. Lister’s work on the souring of milk is rarely mentioned as it is normally eclipsed by his work on antisepsis.
Object number:
A629476
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: micro-organism
A tiny single-celled living organism too small to be seen by the naked eye. Micro-organisms that cause disease are called bacteria.
Glossary: antisepsis
The practice of using antiseptic drugs to eliminate harmful micro-organisms.
Glossary: syringe
An instrument used for injecting or withdrawing fluids. The open end of the syringe may be fitted with a hypodermic needle for injection into the bloodstream.
Glossary: bacteria
Micro-organisms which can cause disease but have an important role in global ecology.