Hammer and Pessary Ring. Medical Instruments that Look Like Designer Jewelry

Posted on 30/01/2019 by Mimi Berlin Amsterdam

Pessary Ring as Bracelet. Percussion Hammer as Brooch

While researching some antique objects on the interweb we stumbled upon an image of a pessary ring made in 1975. We’ve never used this contraceptive device so we didn’t recognize it as such. To us, at Mimi Berlin, this rubber band looks more like a bracelet; a modern design bracelet. And in our minds the percussion hammer could well be a brooch. .

percussion hammer
1970s pessary ring

(The medical items are property of the Purmerends Museum)

Online Stuff from Yesteryears

We found the images above via the online collection of National Dutch heritage. This wonderful imagebank is filled with thousands and thousands of products, ranging from stamps to glassware to well……stuff from yesteryears that can make the imagination run wild if you want to!

While we’re on the subject: click to view our post about on religious tongue piercings.

Percussion or Reflex Hammer

A reflex hammer is a medical instrument used by practitioners to test deep tendon reflexes. Testing for reflexes is an important part of the neurological physical examination in order to detect abnormalities in the central or peripheral nervous system. Reflex hammers can also be used for chest percussion.
(knowledge via wikipedia)

xoxo Mimi Berlin

Post-World War II Sunray Therapy

Posted on 29/04/2017 by Mimi Berlin Amsterdam

Post-World War II Sunray Therapy

“Post-World War II, until the Sixties, ‘sunray therapy’ — the therapeutic use of ultra-violet lamps — was widely championed across the UK as an antidote for everything from throat infections to acne.” (via dailymail.co.uk)

We think these images of the sunray therapy rooms are simply stunning! Just sharing. Have a nice day! xoxo Mimi Berlin

Post-World War II ‘sunray therapy’ was widely championed across the UK as an antidote for everything from throat infections to acne Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2635599/For-years-doctors-prescribed-sore-throats-childhood-acne-How-sunray-therapy-ultra-violet-lamps-generation-risk-cancer.html#ixzz4fZ4nmJ00 Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Children undergoing sunray treatment at Manchester’s Open Air School for Delicate Children on March 16, 1939 Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2635599/For-years-doctors-prescribed-sore-throats-childhood-acne-How-sunray-therapy-ultra-violet-lamps-generation-risk-cancer.html#ixzz4fZ4fguFU Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

These women, all Metropole Cinema attendants, take part in a tanning session in a 1930s solarium. As they sit in front of the sunlamps, goggles protect their eyes Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2635599/For-years-doctors-prescribed-sore-throats-childhood-acne-How-sunray-therapy-ultra-violet-lamps-generation-risk-cancer.html#ixzz4fZ4iz39t Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Staying healthy with ultra-violet lamps (and goggles)

Ways of Knowing by Daniel Stier

Posted on 16/06/2015 by Mimi Berlin Amsterdam

Ways of Knowing by Daniel Stier

“A personal project exploring the real world of scientific research. Not the stainless steel surfaces bathed in purple light, but real people in their basements working on selfbuilt contraptions. All shot in state of the art research institutions across Europe and the US, showing experiments with human subjects. Portrayed are the people conducting the experiments – students, doctorands and professors.” (images courtesy of the artist Daniel Stier)