Credit: © The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.10773

    Surface layer of human urine

    Date
    1852
    Creator
    Arthur Hill Hassall (1817 - 1894, British) , Physician
    Object type
    Archive reference number
    Material
    Dimensions
    height (painting): 139mm
    width (painting): 127mm
    height (mount): 269mm
    width (mount): 209mm
    Subject
    Description
    The surface layer of human urine seen under a microscope following exposure to the air in June 1852 and studied over a period of days to observe colour changes, leading to an investigation into their causes.

    Figure 1 from the manuscript version of the paper “On the frequent occurrence of indigo in human urine and on its chemical physiological and pathological relations” by Arthur Hill Hassall, in Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, vol.6 (1850-1854), p.122.

    The illustration is inscribed: ‘A portion of Blue Pellicle formed on the surface of a specimen of Human Urine, magnified, shewing its constituents, namely fragments and granules of Indigo, Crystals of Triple Phosphate, Vibriones and Animalcules. 420, diam:’. Incribed verso: ‘July 1852’.The brown card mount has been slightly trimmed, obscuring a second inscription on the reverse.

    Arthur Hill Hassall was a physician at the Royal Free Hospital in London and a public health expert.
    Associated place
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