Microtome, R. Jung, Heidelberg, 1900-1925
Inv V10130

The microscopic structure of plants and animals is studied using very fine slices, sections, of the various tissues. The cutting of sections is sometimes very simple, but more often a complicated operation. A plant stem, for example, is no problem. A section can be cut using a simple razor blade. In addition the plant is constructed of cells with a firm cell wall, which is very easy to see. Animal tissues are much more of a problem because they are soft. For this reason they are first 'packed' in a firm paraffin wrapper or frozen solid.In 1892 Jung designed this solid microtome, resistant to frequent and rough use. The blade is fixed to a rotating arm and the object table with the specimen on it is automatically pushed upwards at each turn. There are two interchangeable object tables: one for specimens embedded in paraffin and one through which liquid coolants could be passed to cool the frozen specimen.