The compressorium (plural: compressoria) is a scientific apparatus for applying pressure to a sample for examination with a microscope.

Compressorium by Jan Evangelista Purkyně

Widely used by microscopists in the 19th century,[1][2][3] they were produced by companies such as Bausch and Lomb.[4]

Many versions of compressoria were developed over the years, with one of the first attributed to the famous histologist Jan Evangelista Purkyně,[5] see picture.

Compressoria were still used in the twenty-first century for the identification of Trichinella worms in samples.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Bedwell, F. A. (June 1878). "Hints to Workers with the Microscope". Nature. 18 (449): 141. Bibcode:1878Natur..18..141B. doi:10.1038/018141b0. ISSN 1476-4687.
  2. ^ Smith, Gilbert Morgan (1915). "The Development of Botanical Microtechnique". Transactions of the American Microscopical Society. 34 (2): 71–129. doi:10.2307/3221940. ISSN 0003-0023. JSTOR 3221940.
  3. ^ "Microscope No. 315 accessories". golubcollection.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
  4. ^ "Compressorium, by Bausch and Lomb, American, 1901–1920". Science Museum Group. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  5. ^ "compressors or compressoria". www.microscope-antiques.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  6. ^ Forbes, Lorry B.; Parker, Sarah; Scandrett, W.Brad (2003-06-01). "Comparison of a Modified Digestion Assay with Trichinoscopy for the Detection of Trichinella Larvae in Pork". Journal of Food Protection. 66 (6): 1043–1046. doi:10.4315/0362-028X-66.6.1043. PMID 12801007.