Examination mirrors

Hoffman of Burgsteinfurt was the first to use a reflecting mirror which reflected sun light to examine the ear. He was using this mirror since 1841. Anton Von Troltsch without knowing about Hoffman's invention had designed his own version of reflecting mirror (concave mirror) with a hole in the centre. It was through the hole he saw the reflected light and examined the patient's ear. He had virtually reinvented the mirror 14 years after Hoffman.

The head mirror is a concave mirror. It has a hole in the centre. The approximate focal length of the mirror is about 10 inches. It has a plastic head band with a lever with 2 ball and socket joints. the joints are at right angles to each other.

The source of light is from a Bulls lamp. It is a semimobile source of illumination. It has a 100 watts milk white bulb which acts as the source of illumination. The light is focused with a plano convex lens placed in front of the bulb. Ideally the Bull's lamp should be placed 6 inches above and behind the left shoulder of the patient, at the level of left ear of the patient.