Paul is correct, the Schloetz tonometer is used for measuring internal eye pressure. If you have had an eye exam by an ophthalmologist (MD) you would have had this test but usually today it is part of a big multifunction device you set your chin on and the ophthalmologist also does a slit lamp scan of your corneal for defects. The tonometer requires that the cornea first be anesthetized with a drop of lidocaine and then the little button end of the instrument is gently rested on the cornea and the gauge reads out the internal pressure in the eye. If it is elevated, it indicates a glaucoma. If you are over 50, it is a good thing to have an MD ophthalmologist examine your eyes regularly rather than just an optometrist who prescribes glasses. Pressure in the eye can build up when the drainage angle behind the iris is impaired. The pressure is silent ie. there is no sensation, but it compresses the retina and will cause blindness in a short time. Animals get glaucomas also. Douglas Gregg DVM PhD Classic Piano Doc Message: 1 Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2012 06:37:40 -0800 (PST) From: Paul McCloud <pmc033 at earthlink.net> To: Larry Fisher RPT <larry_fisher at pdxtuner.com>, pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Prof. Schloetz's Tonometer Message-ID: <18188792.896.1352385458796.JavaMail."Paul McCloud"@D5LKF0C1> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Hi, Larry: It apparently is a device to measure internal eye pressure. Paul McCloud San Diego ----- Original Message ----- From: "Larry Fisher RPT" <larry_fisher at pdxtuner.com> To: "pianotech" <pianotech at ptg.org> Sent: Thursday, November 8, 2012 6:26:05 AM Subject: [pianotech] Prof. Schloetz's Tonometer While working for a dealership as an employee (a rather short gig) a young man handed me this gem from his recently deceased grandfather?s estate. He had no clue as to it?s origin or purpose. I gave him a few bucks and kept it in a drawer hoping to find an answer someday. The device is quite sensitive and comes with different weights (one has a 7.5 stamped on it and the other a 10). You can see it measures in the middle of the scale when balanced on top of a pool ball. There?s a small disk with a curved surface that is used for calibration purposes. The scale has no indication of units and spreads from zero to twenty. The numbers 2227 are stamped to the left of the scale. D.B.G.M. is stamped on the back of this scale. I?ve had thoughts of placing it on a bratwurst or knackwurst to check for firmness and such but I?d hate to get it dirty.
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC