| Description Of Item | Box containing tubing - possible part of a MacKenzie polygraph.
Dr James McKenzie (1853-1925) developed ink-writing polygraphs. A tambour (a rubber diaphragm) is placed over a vein in the neck while another is placed on the arterial pulse in the wrist. The movements of these vessels vibrate the diaphragms. The diaphragms transmit the waves through rubber tubing to two recording arms which record the pulse as continuous lines on paper. The polygraph was extensively used to diagnose and record arrhythmias even after electrocardiograms came in to use. Polygraphs were also used as lie detectors. Sir James Mackenzie, a fellow of the College worked as a Lancashire general practitioner. He achieved worldwide eminence as a cardiac researcher. |