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The Institute is proud to announce that we have been nominated by the Philadelphia Inquirer for a 2025 Philly Favorites Museum. You can vote once a day now through 5pm on Sunday, January 19. Cast your vote under Things To Do > Museums.
![Did you know that January is Blood Donor Month? Established by a proclamation in December 1969, National Blood Donor Month was created to thank blood donors for their support and encourage blood donations during winter when blood supplies become limited. According to the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies, just one unit of blood can help save multiple lives.
Pictured here is an Emocromometro (Marucelli model) with needle and booklet with instructions and absorbent paper. Used for counting blood cells, this particular hemocytometer was manufactured in Italy. Black case that opens by pressing in bronze button to reveal bright blue satin interior lining.
Inside, the bottom half of the case holds a paper hemoglobin color chart secured to a white plastic mount; the top half of the case holds a needle housed in a metal tube and a small green booklet which includes instructions (in Italian) for use of the hemocytometer as well as perforated strips of absorbent paper. Needle and booklet are secured in place by bright blue strips of fabric [silk?] which reads "ISCHIROL/ANEMIA/NEVRASTENIA [neurasthenia]" in gold [transfer foil?].
🩸Tap the link in bio to take a closer look.](https://www.sciencehistory.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)