February is Valentine’s month, so it’s time to look after our hearts…

Therefore, we are introducing a very unusual item from our archives – a blood pressure monitor (or sphygmomanometer), which is thought to date from the early twentieth century.

It was manufactured by Accoson, a scientific glassware company, which was established in 1859 by Alfred Charles Cossor who had completed an apprenticeship as a glass blower. In 1904, Accoson produced their first glass manometer, using their glass-blowing skills and, a year later, Russian surgeon Nikolai Korotkoff first described the technique to measure diastolic pressure. In 1921, Accoson expanded its products to include all types of thermometers, hydrometers and syringes.

Despite its age, the item is in great condition and includes the mercury manometer, cuff, inflatable bladder, and original instructions. It is housed in a lovely wooden box.

Who wants to be the first one to try it out?!

This item is part of a wonderful collection of early twentieth-century scientific equipment that is currently stored in our archive. It was donated to us by a former doctor at the RHN and includes an antique haemometer, ophthalmoscope, and respirator. The equipment will be on display in our De Lancey Lowe Room later in the year.

What’s On

We are really looking forward to our free online open lecture on 28th March. It focuses on the history of our beautiful building and its very high-profile former occupants, including the Spencer and Pitt families, a Scottish baronet, the Duke of Sutherland, and a merchant from Hamburg (not Venice!).

We can’t wait to tell you their stories… Please click here to book your place.

What’s Next

Next time, we’ll be telling you all about our Royal Supplementary Charter from 1976. We are in the process of getting a professional replica of it created so that we can display it in our reception for all to see whilst the original stays safe and sound in our archive store.

Here’s a sneaky peek at the original, with its stunning wax seal:

See you all soon!