THE MICROSCOPE. 71 



Sclcctixms, 



The Clinical Use of the Microscope. — As every doctor 

 now needs a microscope, and most of them want one, and many of 

 them have not yet obtained one, perhaps a few hints of practical 

 nature on microscope construction and power may be acceptable. 

 Every man, before he buys a microscope, must know what the in- 

 strument can do, and why it can do it. The fact is that many 

 microscopes — stand, lenses and all — may be sold at a very high 

 price, and not be very useful instruments, and, at the present time> 

 very useful instruments are sold at very reasonable prices. In 

 buying a microscope, the stand is, of course, the first factor 

 to consider. Stands are made of various patterns, and many 

 of them are useless and uncalled for. Many of the old 

 incumbrances of mechanical stages, etc., are no longer used, 

 and were never of any use. At the present time micros- 

 copists themselves are wrangling over the most desirable weight 

 and size of a microscope stand. It is very evident that different 

 men differ in the size and weight of their opinions about the most 

 desirable size and weight of a stand, and that different men like 

 different sizes and weights. 



The various American makers build stands of different weight 

 and size for different people and purposes, and all of these stands, 

 it may be said, admit of the use of the best objectives and other 

 accessories of the microscope. If other things are equal, the owner 

 of a microscope will, as a general thing, be better satisfied with a 

 stand of good size and with weight enough to resist most of the 

 modes of motion which constantly pervade the air and ground, and 

 houses and furniture of rooms. 



A stand which will admit of the use of any microscopic acces- 

 sory, and of good weight and size, can be bought for from $25 to 

 $75, and the best that can be made, even if all made of brass and in 

 the best manner, and having all the qualities which are necessary to 

 go with objectives of the highest power, and which can be used for 

 any purpose where a microscope is useful, and which are handsome 

 enough, and practical enough, and scientific enough, need not cost 

 over $i6c 



The next article, which it is of greatest importance to know 



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