For many years a curved glass diascope has been used by dermatologists in Europe. In this country the inconvenient rectangular piece of glass or, more frequently, the less suitable microscopic slide is used as a diascope. The European-type diascope has been modified so that it can be made from clear plastic and so that it is more efficient for the examination of curved areas. The angles of curvature are made a bit different in order to reach areas of the face, such as the sides of the nose and the orbital ridges, and the tips and sides of the fingers. The diascope is
Plastic diascope. approximately 15 cm. long, 1.3 cm. across one end, and approximately 2.3 cm. across the other end. Curvatures are given for each end. The diascope is made of plastic which can be cleansed easily with alcohol. Unlike the glass diascope it does not break