Thermometer (replica)

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This is a 20th-century replica of a clinical thermometer made in the 17th century by the Accademia del Cimento in Florence in Italy.

The glass instrument is in the shape of a frog, made of with liquid and coloured beads inside and ribbons for attaching the thermometer to the patient's arm. The spheres indicate temperature according to which ones float.

The Accademia del Cimento - the 'Academy of experiments' - was one of the earliest scientific societies. It met in Florence between 1657 and 1667. It avoided work on astronomical topics because this raised controversial issues in the Catholic church.

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-735-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1976.83
• Date: 20th century
  Original: 17th century; Replica: 20th century
  
• Material: Glass, with liquid and coloured beads, tying ribbons
  Thermometer, clinical / replica
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Thermometer, clinical / replica
  
• Subject: 22. PHYSICS, Heat (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where:
• Event:
• Description: 20th century replica of a clinical thermometer in the shape of a frog, by the Accademia del Cimento, Florence, 17th century
  
• References:
  • For the surviving glassware of the Accademia del Cimento, and the original of this replica, see Miniati, Mara, Museo di Storia della Scienza [Firenze] Catalogo, Florence: 1991, pp 132-47, esp item 11 
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