Source: RPS Museum
This Culpeper-type compound microscope dates to the 1760s. It has an eye lens and an inner optical tube that can be slid in or out of a supporting body to focus the view. A concave mirror attached to the base allows specimens in the ivory slider to be viewed by the reflection of light.
The development of ever more powerful microscopes allowed biologists to study animal physiology in detail. Improved microscopes also allowed scientists to observe microorganisms and identify them as the cause of diseases. These discoveries led to the acceptance of germ theory and the impact of simple preventative measures, such as hand washing.
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