Syringe used by Joseph Lister in his experiments on the souring of milk, United Kingdom, 1871-1878

Syringe used by Joseph Lister in experiments on the souring of Syringe used by Joseph Lister in experiments on the souring of

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Syringe used by Joseph Lister in experiments on the souring of
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Syringe used by Joseph Lister in experiments on the souring of
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Syringe used by Joseph Lister in experiments on the souring of milk, c. 1878

This glass syringe was used by Joseph Lister (1827-1912) in his experiments on the souring of milk. He discovered that milk straight from the animal is generally free from bacteria. But when examining sour milk he found that the micro-organisms present were of a type which he had previously named Bacterium lactis. The syringe could measure one or more hundredths of a minim – a minim being 0.062 ml. Such accurate measurements meant that Lister could calculate the number of bacteria in as little as one fiftieth of a minim. Lister’s work on the souring of milk is rarely mentioned as it is normally eclipsed by his work on antisepsis.

Details

Category:
Microbiology
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A600316
Materials:
barrel and nozzle, glass, piston & handle, metal and mounts, metal
Measurements:
overall: 23 mm x 222 mm x 26 mm, .05kg
type:
syringe