Urinometer with measuring cylinder, cased, England, 1830-1900
A urinometer is a type of hydrometer. It compares the weight of urine to an equal volume of water to measure the specific density. The urinometer is placed in a measuring cylinder full of urine. It floats because the urine is denser than the mercury. The level the urinometer floats at is read off the scale. This is used to diagnose illness. The urinometer is marked with the word ‘DIABETES’. This indicates it was used to diagnose the disease.
Object number:
A608002
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: hydrometer
A hydrometer is an instrument used to measure the specific gravity (or relative density) of liquids; that is, the ratio of the density of the liquid to the density of water. A hydrometer is usually cylindrical and made from glass.
Glossary: urinometer
A hydrometer for determining the specific gravity of urine.
Glossary: diabetes
This term refers to any form of metabolic disorder characterized by extreme thirst and excess urine production.