---
title: Early Hypodermic Syringe
author: Science Museum, London
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17297/early-hypodermic-syringe/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-04-20
---

# Early Hypodermic Syringe

_Authored by Science Museum, London_

## Image File

[![Early Hypodermic Syringe](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17297.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17297.png)

## Image Caption

A hypodermic syringe made by Coxeter and Son of London c. 1860. Syringes were used in antiquity, but the true hypodermic syringe for injecting precisely measured liquids using a hollow needle was invented by the Scotsman [Alexander](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Alexander/) Wood (1817-1884) in 1853. According to tradition, Wood was inspired to create his instrument after considering how a bee stings its victim. The instrument was primarily used to administer morphine for pain relief.

[Science](https://www.worldhistory.org/science/) Museum, London.

## Cite This Work

### APA
London, S. M. (2023, April 18). Early Hypodermic Syringe. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17297/early-hypodermic-syringe/>
### Chicago
London, Science Museum,. "Early Hypodermic Syringe." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 18, 2023. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17297/early-hypodermic-syringe/>.
### MLA
London, Science Museum,. "Early Hypodermic Syringe." *World History Encyclopedia*, 18 Apr 2023, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17297/early-hypodermic-syringe/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co142318/hypodermic-syringe-england-1855-1865-hypodermic-syringe) by **Science Museum, London**. Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 18 April 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.