File:Minot1888 microtome.jpg

Minot Automatic Microtome

Fig. 3 Minot' s Automatic Microtome," as figured in the American Naturalist, 1888, vol. 22, p. 945.

His inventive qualities were also now apparent, for in 1886, he had designed the rotary microtome, familiar to all histologists. Baltzer, the instrument maker for Professor Ludwig's laboratory, made the first one, but in 1888 they were being manufactured in Boston. The original form of this very valuable device is shown in figure 3. Its toothed wheel was small and therefore sections could not be cut thinner than 30 microns. Although the "precision microtome" likewise designed by Dr. Minot (figured in Science, 1897, vol. v, p. 862), has largely replaced the rotary microtome in his own laboratory, especially for cutting serial sections of embryos, the rotary microtome is generally more widely used and is still of great service.

Text from an address by Frederic T. Lewis, Vice-President of the American Association of Anatomists, delivered at the New Haven meeting of the Association, December 28, 1915.

Links: Charles Minot

Reference

Frederic T. Lewis. Charles Sedgwick Minot. An Address The Anatomical Record Volume 10 November, 1915-July, 1916. p133-164.