The history of the microscope reflects advances in science and medicine

Abstract

Microscopes, more than any other instrument, reflect advances in clinical medicine over the past several hundred years. As the primary tool of the pathologist, they were, and continue to be, a key connector between the bedside and basic sciences. One specific example is the science of clinical dermatology, which relies on clinical-pathologic correlation to make a definitive diagnosis. The microscopes used by pathologists, however, are more than scientific artifacts. Many antique microscopes are hand-crafted works of art. Even while recognizing that light microscopes may soon be obsolete as scanned slides and computer joy-sticks replace optical instruments in patient care and teaching, their significance will not be diminished. The microscope will never be forgotten in the history, art, and science of medicine, for these instruments set the social and cultural stage for modern, scientific patient care.