Images(3)

Burner, Laboratory

Object number2023.104.2

MediumChrome metal; Fabric; Adhesive tape; Paper; Ink; Adhesive

Credit LineGift of Presbyterian-University Hospital Alumnae Association

DescriptionMedicine spoon and burner with removable wick cap. Silver chrome metal. Burner is a squat cylindrical container that slopes upward to a braided brown fabric wick at top center. Vertical metal arm is mounted on side of burner and holds a truncated spoon at top; rear of spoon has tightening adjustment knob. Underside of burner is recessed. Removable silver chrome metal cap covers wick. DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a-b together): 5.5 x 3.75 x 2.625 in. (14 x 9.5 x 6.7 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (a): 5.5 x 3.75 x 2.625 in. (14 x 9.5 x 6.7 cm)
Height x Diameter (b): 0.875 x 0.625 in. (2.2 x 1.6 cm)
Inscriptions(a)
Underside of burner has an orange sticker off-center with black handwritten number "12".
Marks(b)
Top has engraved text "Penn U.S.A. / CHROME".
Historical NotesMedicine spoon and burner. Part of a collection related to nurses that worked for Presbyterian University Hospital. The institution was named Presbyterian Hospital from 1893-1961. It is now part of the UPMC health system. Presbyterian Hospital was founded on the North Side of Pittsburgh in 1893 by Dr. Louise Wotring Lyle, the widow of a Presbyterian minister. Lyle had dreamed of opening a hospital to serve the needy and a school to train nurses. She helped found the Women’s Medical College in Cincinnati and graduated from it at the age of 50 in 1892. The next year, she returned to Pittsburgh, the place where she had nursed the wounded during the Civil War, and opened a five-room hospital out of her home. Dr. Jane Vincent, the first female physician in Allegheny County, aided Lyle in her efforts. Within two years she was able to open a school of nursing, and by 1968, it had graduated 2,950 nurses. Presbyterian Hospital eventually merged with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to become Presbyterian-University Hospital. Although the School of Nursing closed, they maintain an active alumnae organization.

Related institution Presbyterian University Hospital

Related institution Presbyterian Hospital

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