Tine tester to test for exposure to tuberculosis causing bacteria, London, England, 1945-1955

Made:
1945-1955 in London
maker:
Allen & Hanburys Limited
Tine tester for tuberculin sensitivity, stainless steel

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Tine tester for tuberculin sensitivity, stainless steel
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Tine tester for tuberculin sensitivity, stainless steel, by Allen and Hanburys of London, c. 1950

A tine test is used to see whether a person has already been exposed to the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. The six needles were sterilised, dipped into tuberculin, and used to puncture the skin. If a red hard area appears, this indicates that the person has been exposed in the past or present to the bacteria. This suggests they either have the disease, are naturally immune or have acquired immunity to it in some way. Today, a tine gun has four prongs and is disposable for reasons of hygiene.

Details

Category:
Public Health & Hygiene
Object Number:
1986-1450
Materials:
steel (stainless)
Measurements:
overall: 140 mm x 71 mm, 91 mm, .13kg
type:
tine tester
credit:
Horton General Hospital