1894 THE MICHOSCOPE. 137 



A Few Hints on the Selection of a Microscope. 



By DANIEL E. HAAG, M. D. 



lOLEDO, OHIO. 



The expert microscopist is able to select for himself, 

 and we venture advice only to the beginner and inexper- 

 ienced. It is not necessary for the practical, every-day 

 work of the physician that he possess a costly microscope 

 and numerous accessories, but it is desirable to have a 

 good, solid stand, with perfect adjustments, and clear, 

 well-defining objectives. 



The first thing, then for consideration in selecting an 

 instrument is the stand. With a good, well made stand 

 free from lateral motion, both coaise and fine adjustments 

 without back-lurch or lost motion, use can be made of 

 such quality of optical parts as requirements may demand 

 or means justify; but with a poor stand the best optical 

 parts will prove an annoyance and a failure. It should 

 possess a good smooth coarse adjustment by means of a 

 rack and pinion, and perfect fine adjustment by micromi- 

 ter screw; its entire construction should be devised solely 

 for the purpose of using the optical parts to the best 

 advantage. It matters not, and there is no optical advan- 

 tage in either the long or short tube, provided it has a 

 point for inclination, and the objectives be corrected to 

 correspond with the given length of the tube. 



So far as the metal of which the stand is made is con- 

 cerned, there is no difference whether it be partly of jap- 

 aned iron or all brass; this can be determined by the 

 amount of money to be expended. While it is advisable 

 to have the stage low, on account of the convenience 

 of manipulation, yet there should be sufficient space for 

 the convenient attachment of sub-stage accessories. As 

 a general rule the American pattern of stands provides 

 more space between the stage and base on the lower side, 

 and stage and tube on the upper side, than foreign 

 stands do. 



