Metal kidney shaped emesis basin with white enamelled glaze and black edging around the rim.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Belonged to Dr. R. Gordon Sinclair.
Dates
1920
1930
1920-1930
Material
metal: white
paint: black
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-D3-6
Temporary Location
On display "Doctor's Treatment Room c1930" at Museum of Health Care 20 Feb 2016.
Length
20.0 cm
Width
11.2 cm
Depth
4.0 cm
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Dimension Notes
Length 20.0 cm x Width 11.2 cm x Depth 4.0 cm
Condition Remarks
One chip in enamel on top edging; two small spots of residue on back of basin.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Reference Comments
Pilling, George F. & Son Co., "Pilling Instruments and Equipment for Surgeons and Hospitals," Philadelphia, 1932, p. 322 (similar to item #P23600)
Research Facts
A kidney dish (British English) or emesis basin (American English) is a shallow basin with a kidney-shaped base and sloping walls used in medical and surgical wards to receive soiled dressings and other medical waste. Reusable kidney dishes are usually made of stainless steel, while disposable ones may be made of paper pulp or plastic. The concave inner rim shape of the dish helps allows it to be held against the patient's body to catch any falling fluids or debris. Various sizes of emesis basin are a common sight in healthcare settings.
Contrary to its name, emesis basins (or "vomit dish") are not usually used for vomiting, as the depth, size, and sloping walls all contribute to spilling or splashing the vomit rather than catching it.
Emesis basins are suited for more controlled situations. When washing out a small wound, for example, sometimes the wash water is applied from above with an emesis basin held underneath to catch the runoff.