[205] 



^be ipboto^nDicroorapb\> of Ibistolootcal 



Subjects/'' 



By Y. May King, M.D,, Amov, China. 



THE idea of utilising photography as a means of recording 

 scientific investigations with the microscope presents so 

 many attractions that it undoubtedly has occurred to many 

 microscopists. But as yet comparatively few appear to have 

 availed themselves of this method of obtaining an indisputably 

 exact reproduction of what is shown by the microscope. And 

 even these few have given their chief attention to diatoms, of 

 which they have made very beautiful micro-photographs. Practi- 

 cal pathologists, as a rule, I think, have been deterred from 

 attempting to use photography by the mistaken apprehension that 

 the process was too long and wearisome for one with but little 

 spare time, and also that the results to be obtained in the case of 

 histological subjects would not sufficiently recompense for the 

 labour bestowed. But in reality it is not any more tedious, nor 

 does it require any more time, to make a photo-micrograph than 

 it does to make a photograph of any other kind. There is no 

 reason why an objective which will project a clear image upon the 

 eye will not do the same upon a sensitive plate, nor why such 

 impressions should not be treated like the impressions from other 

 kinds of lines. The measure of success I have met with in the 

 photo-micrography of histological subjects, while pursuing it for 

 my own benefit as a welcome alternative to camera-lucida drawing, 

 has induced some of my friends to suggest that I might, perhai)s, 

 be able to give some practical hints which would be useful to 

 others, toiling over camera-lucida reflections, who would like to 

 experiment in this interesting branch of photography. 



It does not require a great amount of skill, nor is it nearly as 

 laborious as drawing, and, I think, will be found far more satis- 

 factory in the end. 



I would here acknowledge my great indebtedness to Professor 

 T. W. Smillie, chief of the photographic department of the 



* From the New Yorh Medical Journal, 



