An Exceptional Late 19th-Century Victorian Travelling Urinalysis Diagnostic Field Kit
Up for auction/sale is a highly collectible and remarkably intact Victorian physician’s diagnostic chest, manufactured by the legendary medical instrument makers S. Maw, Son & Thompson, London (trading under this exact name between 1870 and 1901).This specialized field kit was an essential tool for late 19th-century doctors, allowing them to perform critical chemical testing and fluid analysis directly at a patient's bedside to diagnose conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease.Kit Components & Condition Details:Original Mahogany Presentation Chest: Features a plush dark blue velvet interior lining and brass hinges. The wood shows a beautiful, authentic aged patina with light surface wear consistent with age and field use.Rare "DIABETES" Labeled Urinometer: The delicate glass hydrometer float is in excellent, unbroken condition with exceptionally crisp, clear markings on the stem, including the explicit "DIABETES" marker.Two Glass Spirit Lamps (Alcohol Burners): Complete with their original fabric cotton wicks and metal collars. Please Note: The original metal collars are currently stuck tightly to the glass necks due to age-related residue. They have been left completely untouched to preserve the structural integrity of the antique glass.Glass Minim Measure & Protective Vulcanite Case: Features a rare small glass drop-measure tube alongside its original cross-hatched, protective travel case bearing the golden S. Maw, Son & Thompson trademark crest on the lid.Diagnostic Test Tubes & Reagent Bottles: Includes five loose glass test tubes and a ground-glass stoppered reagent bottle used for storing testing chemicals, unfortunates tgere is a crack in the lid of this one. One of the larger 2-ounce glass master cylinders is included.Condition Report:This set is in excellent antique condition for its age. There are no major cracks or structural damage to the primary glass components, which is incredibly rare for medical kits of this era. All markings, labels, and maker stamps are legible.
Unfortunately the box is missing a catch and the hinge on the same side is a little loose although intact please see photos