That thing that's on a little headband or something? What's it used for?
2006-07-31 08:49:08 · 7 answers · asked by Tobin Green 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Its a headband with a parabolic mirror.
In the 17th century Pierre Borel designed a concave mirror to help pass sunlight into the nasal cavity. Borel’s design was later modified by perforating the center of the mirror and attaching it to a headband. Light from a window or candle was thus reflected into the nasal cavity, and the doctor was able to have a direct, well-lit view through the perforation. Also, by placing the mirror on a headband the doctor had a free hand for other purposes.
2006-07-31 08:56:17 · answer #1 · answered by mistress_piper 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was used in examinations of the ear, throat, and other, ah, body cavities. To use, you swung the head mirror down so that you could look through the hole in the middle with one eye. Then you positioned a light source so that it shone on the mirror's parabolic surface. By moving your head just so, you could reflect the light rays down the patient's throat or whatever, the better to illuminate items of interest without obstructing the view.
Just about all doctors used head mirrors at one time and they became, along with the stethoscope, one of the symbols of the profession. But they could be a bit of a hassle to use and they did make you look like a space alien, so today many doctors prefer a penlight or other examining device. Some ENT (ear-nose-throat) specialists still use head mirrors, though, so look one up if you get nostalgic.
2006-07-31 08:56:48 · answer #2 · answered by Jennylee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it was used for a light deflector to deflect the light from them to whatever they are looking at and then they can see better, like because they might not have had flashlights back then...but I really have no clue that is just my guess...
2006-07-31 08:53:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normally it is used for OBGYN exam as a type of extra light. It is just a head lamp to give us better visualization.. though very few of us ever use it any more.
2006-07-31 08:54:06 · answer #4 · answered by PreviouslyChap 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think you are referring the small torch light that doctors use to see mouth ,ear,nose,throat,teeth etc. they fit it with help of a band on their forehead.
2006-07-31 08:54:34 · answer #5 · answered by flori 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a light used by old time doctors (and cartoonists!)
2006-07-31 08:53:55 · answer #6 · answered by Karen J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
light
2006-07-31 08:53:34 · answer #7 · answered by Irish Eyes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋