perimeter
Datecirca 1893
Inventory NumberWJ0036
ClassificationPerimeter
Subject
Maker
Meyrowitz Brothers
1875-present
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsmax height: 60 × 21 × 42.5 cm (23 5/8 × 8 1/4 × 16 3/4 in.)
Material
DescriptionThe cast-iron structure is made of two feet and a long curved third one. At the end of the latter, a vertical rod has been fixed, holding a support piece used for the patient's chin. The large half-circle sighting screen is blank on the patient's side, and graduated on the other side. A chart would have been added on the patient's side. It is broken in two places. Two sliders on small wheels (both missing) would have moved along its edges. When they moved left and right, they measured the peripheral vision of the patient. This screen can be rotated 90 degrees, to do the same examination for the up and down peripheral vision. A large wheel at the back equipped with a paper clip is missing. There is a small graduated scale with inscriptions: "NASAL / FIELD" on the left and "TEMP. / FIELD" on the right.
Signedon feet, embossed: E. B. MEYROWITZ, N. Y.
FunctionStudying visual sensations, especially peripheral vision.
A description of a similar instrument made by C. H. Stoelting of Chicago is found in their 1937 trade catalogue, found online here.
A description of a similar instrument made by C. H. Stoelting of Chicago is found in their 1937 trade catalogue, found online here.
Historical AttributesThis instrument is found in Hugo Münsterberg's 1893 <i>Psychological Laboratory of Harvard University</i> document. It is thus listed: "89. Two perimeters. After Landholt and Priestley Smith, by Meyrowitz, New York. $50."
See online reproduction <a href="http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Munster/Lab/" target="_blank">here</a>.
Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory
Date: 1947-2002
Object number: 2003-1-0291
George Cruikshank
Date: dated 1817
Accessories: slip of paper containing brief commentary
Object number: 1998-1-1095
