Abstract
The very rich old section of the “Vincenzo Pinali” Medical Library of the former Faculty of Medicine, University of Padua, keeps only few “objects” beyond its institutional purpose. Among the scientifically most interesting ones, two “relics” of Pacini can be mentioned. They are two slides equipped with a light green label on both the surfaces and with the inscription “Method of Filippo Pacini” and the signature “Filippo Pacini” on the recto. On the recto and verso there are also information concerning the place and the date of realization and a description of the preparation, understandably concise. The first slide, particularly well preserved, is kept between two glass panes in a little frame and it is entitled “Leucociti della Leucocitemia”, the coordinates “Florence, 12 Dec: 1864”, the signature and a schematic instruction to the correct reading of the preparation. On the verso Pacini decided to report some news about the “source” of cells. The second slide, stored in a metal box, is entitled “Ematococco”, the indications “Florence, 19 June 1865” and, in addition to the signature, basic but exhaustive information about the product. The methods of acquisition and conservation of precious relics are finally reconstructed. Considering the importance of Pacini’s preparations and their presence in different Institutions, we propose to take a census of them, as the basis of a virtual museum dedicated to the great Pistoiese.
