Scientific Instruments > Pressure Measuring

A 19th Century French Milk Hydrometer.

Item#: SPR507

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This is a floating glass hydrometer type Lactometer with lead shots at the base and a graduated chart in the stem specifying the amount of water added to milk (0, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2). This primitive instrument was made for estimating the purity of milk and is designed to assure that the milk has not been adulterated beyond an agreeable amount. Although this hydrometer measures the specific gravity of milk, it was made before the milk density unit ‘Degree Quevenne (°Q)’ was invented.