THE MICROSCOPE COLLECTION OF THE LATE DR. PATRICK MILL (1933-2023)

Born near London, Patrick's father was the General Manager of a plastics factory, an emerging technology at the time. He was old enough to serve as a volunteer ARP warden towards the end of World War II, staying up all night on fire watch, and helping out in the factory by day. A bright student, he was educated at the local grammar school and passed for Cambridge where he attended Christ’s College and after that, he achieved a PhD in biochemistry from UCL. He joined the Lister Institute for Preventative Medicine in Chelsea where he worked on Smallpox vaccines. In the 1950’s he left London for Rome to join the International Research Centre for Chemical Microbiology where its Director, Professor (later Sir) Earnest Chain, became a good friend. It was in Rome that Patrick met his wife Jeanette who was working for the UN’s Food & Agriculture Organization, marrying in December 1960 they returned to the UK the next year where Patrick continued his research, initially for Guinness the brewers where he published a paper on the action of yeast. He then turned his hand to business management and for the remainder of his career worked for Bayer Diagnostics where he retired as head of business. During his scientific career, he produced some twenty-two papers and several patents. His retirement allowed him to indulge his passion for historical microscopes which stemmed from a 1910 Reichert given to him by his father – an expensive gift at £35 in 1949. He followed the auction sales assiduously and made a private database of all the microscope prices achieved in the London Rooms from the 1970s until shortly before his death. In 1997 he joined the Scientific Instrument Society and by 2003 was on its committee where he served until 2012 – the last four as Chairman. The collection offered here is complete except for a small number kept by the family for sentimental reasons and represents a broad spectrum of microscope development. In many instances, Patrick wrote extensive notes encompassing research and thoughts, which are published online.

(Edited extract from Bulletin 158 of the Scientific Instrument Society)

A CAMERA LUCIDA BY CARL ZEISS, JENA, CIRCA 1920

signed behind mirror as per title and numbered '399', and contained within fitted plush case of issue -- 9 1/2in. (24cm.) wide; together with two microtomes and an Ottway dust tester

(4)

Dr. Mill's notes:

A microtome is a device for cutting very thin slices from a specimen with as little distortion as possible. To achieve this the specimen is supported in some sort of holder and a special razor-like blade (or indeed a simple open razor which has been hollow ground on one side only) is fixed in such a way that it can be slid across the surface of the specimen. Then either the specimen holder is advanced progressively towards the blade or the blade towards the specimen - removing thin even slices at each stroke. Most specimens will require supporting in some way during this process to prevent their falling apart. Two methods have been in general use from the 19th century through to the present. In one the specimen is embedded in a block of paraffin wax and in the other the specimen is placed in the microtome in a gum solution which is then frozen and kept frozen as the specimen is sliced. The latter gives much poorer results but it is very quick whereas wax embedding takes hours if not days. The freezing method makes it possible to examine a biopsy specimen during the course of a surgical operation. The more precise microtomes for delicate work are massively constructed and of very sophisticated designs.

This microtome was first described however by Cathcart in 1883. It underwent minor changes and continued to be sold by Watson for many years. Originally it would have been fitted with a carrier and freezing attachment which are missing. A brass tube fitted in the central tube of the microtome - closed at the upper end this provided a platform on which the specimen was placed in a gum solution. Rotating the large screw below the CATHCART microtome pushed the carrier upwards. The screw has a very fine thread and the length of movement can be controlled by the projecting bar working against the knurled knob. Freezing was obtained by spraying ether against the underside of the carrier platform. This was done by a simple scent-spray atomiser. There is a bracket on the side into which could be slotted a carrier holding the ether bottle. Alternatively a second simple specimen carrier could be used. This consisted of an open tube with a screw in the side. Wax embedded specimens could be clamped in this tube. Watson's catalogue of 1937 lists three forms. The simplest of Cathcart's original design was intended for schools. This one was the middle version and there was a more elaborate version.

Improved Cathcart of 1888 JRMS 1888 1047

Condition Report

as viewed

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