Posted 5 years ago
Chan57
(1 item)
This is some of measuring device, it has an hourglass timer that times for 1 minute. It has a very heavy bottom that is some sort of scale and it has a chart numbering 1-10, and clamps to attach something. We have no clue what this is, as the name has worn off of the front. Any help is much appreciated. Thank you!
This will certainly "date" me, but I remember decades ago when registered nurses ran certain lab tests themselves, there was a blood test that was conducted this way: you collected a tube of blood, then hung it vertically against a ruler with millimeter markings. The test had to be timed exactly, but we went by a stopwatch or clock--this could be older, thus the minute hourglass. At a certain time interval, the blood specimen had to be observed so you could note the level to which the red blood cells had settled according to the ruler. If the red blood cells had settled fast, it was an indication of infection.
Does your device have any type clamp on the pole part that would secure a test tube/specimen tube near the "ruler" part?
This is fancier than what the nurses used so this was likely in the laboratory.
Even if not for the specific test we did, I still think it was for some similar test where a specimen had to be observed and measured at exact intervals of time.
Have you checked the bottom for any identifying info?
Why yes! My object does have clamps to hold something, and it appears that it's small-whatever it holds. I have worked in health care laboratories, and indeed see what you mean about the hematocrit measurement for infection, and also anemia diagnosis. I am going to investigate this theory closer, and if I learn anything, I will certainly keep you updated.
Yes, I did check the bottom for any identification, but there was nothing. Someone had handwritten a note that said "Dewey scale", but I don't believe that is accurate. It's unfortunate that the label is worn on the front, as that would have pointed me in some direction. Thank goodness that there's people like you to help me out in this pinch! Thank you so much.
The rate of settling of the red cells in a blood specimen is called the sedimentation rate.
I expect that a sedimentation rate could be checked for other types of specimens, not just blood. But maybe having this info will get you going on the right track.
I’ll let you know if I come up with anything for you. :-)