Name 1
SPHYGMOMANOMETER
Name 2
/
ID number
002.388.Idrija
Manager / Administrator
Idrija Mercury Heritage Management Center, Bazoviška 2, SI-5280 Idrija
Ownership
Public
Owner
Republic of Slovenia
Local / Original ID Number
/
Type of Object
Daily life
Description
Short description
A sphygmomanometer consists of an inflation cuff, liquid mercury barometer, flexible pipe, connecting the cuff with the manometer and the rubber round-bottom flask with the valve for inflating the cuff. The right side of the measuring scale has a manufacturer’s plate with the type data of the device.
Measures
Length 10 cm, width 34 cm, height 34 cm.
Materials
Plastic, rubber, glass, mercury, metal.
Dating
1975
Author / Producer
Spirit medical co. Ltd, Taiwan.
Picture attachments
Original use
A sphygmomanometer is used for measuring blood pressure. The manual model of the sphygmomanometer, as still used today, was introduced by the Italian doctor Scipione Riva-Rocci (1863‒1937) at the beginning of the 20th century. The cuff is placed on the upper arm of a sitting patient, at approximately the same height as the heart. The pressure in a cuff is increased until the blood flow in the artery is not completely stopped. While listening the brachial artery with stethoscope in the elbow joint, the pressure in the cuff should be gradually lowered. At a specific pressure, when the blood begins to flow through the artery again, we can hear the hum and the heart pulse. The pressure is recorded as a systolic pressure. By further reducing the pressure, the rustling stops at a specific pressure value, which is recorded as a diastolic pressure.
Present use
The sphygmomanometer is being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. It is a part of the CUDHg Smelting Collection. Visitors can view it within the permanent museum display “From Ore to Mercury Drops” in the Hg Smelting Plant, which represents the characteristics and the versatile use of mercury in science, technology, medicine, culture and every day life. Within the exhibition the object is placed in the density segment and it presents the usefulness of mercury for medicine purposes.
Original location
Idrija Psychiatric Hospital, Pot Sv. Antona 49, SI-5280 Idrija.
Present location
Hg Smelting Plant (From Ore to Mercury Drops), Arkova 50, SI-5280 Idrija
STATE OF CONSERVATION
History of conservation:
The sphygmomanometer is well preserved. Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premise is taken care off.
Present state
good
Necessary activities:
Regular seasonal maintenance.
DOCUMENTATION
Addresses / collections / links etc. where further in-depth information is accessible:
- CUDHg Inventory Book.
Submitted
Mestni muzej Idrija
Submitted by
Miha Kosmač
Date Submitted
17. 3. 2018
Date Edited
Never