Ballantyne's Pipettes

For holding various ophthalmological solutions. Consists of six open-ended pipettes of various colours retained in a metal stand, with glass domed cover. Used to allow the Ophthamologist to select topical drugs easily and safely, as the solutions were effectively colour coded.

Pipettes/dropper bottles: Six in number. The glass cylinders were uniform in diameter, with an ovel aperture (1.1cm x 0.85cm) in the glass wall, about mid length. This was covered by a rubber membrane, to give the user complete control of the solution delivery.

The pipettes are made of different coloured glass, to identify the contents easily and safely. It would seem that the colours identified the solutions as follows:
Purple = Atropine
Flint (clear) = Cocaine
Ruby = Eserine
Dark blue = Adrenaline
Green = Euphthalmine (eucatropine, a long-acting atropine)
Amber = Fluorescein

Metal stand: Consists of a square flat metal base, 10.28cm in size. Central metal column, 0.64cm in diameter and 17cm in height, ending in a lifting ring 3.1cm diameter. Two metal discs 8.25cm in diameter are incorporated into the central column 3.4cm apart, each with six disc cutouts 1.74cm in diameter, to retain the glass pipettes.

Chromium plated.

Glass dome, retained by four spring clips located on the stand base, is 18cm in height, by 9.5cm in diameter. Clear glass, 0.025cm thickness.

[Dr A J Ballantyne was a well known Glasgow Ophthalmologist, active between 1910 and 1945, being eventually appointed Professor of Ophthalmology at Glasgow University, and a senior Consultant at The Tennant Institute for Ophthalmology, in Glasgow.]

1910-1930

2007/4.1

Pipettes/dropper bottles: 1.25-1.28cm in diameter, 10.5cm-10.8cm in length.
Metal base: 10.28cm
Central metal column: 0.64cm in diameter, 17cm in height.
Glass dome: 18cm in height, 9.5cm in diameter.

Glass, metal