著者

笠茂 修平 片見 順 早川 智

出版者

日本大学医学会

雑誌

日大医学雑誌 (ISSN:00290424)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.78, no.1, pp.41-46, 2019-02-01 (Released:2019-03-30)

参考文献数

16

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Optical microscopes are indispensable for modern medical practice and biomedical research. Though the basic design of modern microscopes was developed over 100 years ago, their optical quality has not been examined by modern physicians. In this study, we compared the optical functions of antique German microscopes with those of modern microscopes, using various samples including HE stained frog tissues, Gram-stained peripheral blood cultures and test slides of permanent silica preparations. Of great interest, the objective lenses of old microscope showed good resolution and contrast that were almost comparable to modern ones. However, the narrow field of view and the lack of lighting units were major disadvantages of these antique microscopes. In conclusion, the optical qualities of the late 19th and early 20th century microscopes were sufficient to support the great discoveries by hunters of microorganisms and great pathologists.