Marey’s sphygmograph circa 1860 signed “Ch les Verdin a Paris”. It was used for monitoring the pulse and heart rhythm.

The apparatus would be fxed with the black silk ribbon to the flexor wrist and the ivory sensor placed over the pulse. Paper attached to the aluminium plate would with the aid of a clockwork mechanism move across the stylus and record the amplitude and rhythm of radial pulse. The velvet-lined leather case is marked “Sphygmographe de Marey” and contains the original paper for recording in the lid.

• From the Phisick collection