A rectangular double-fold burgundy fine grain leather surgeon’s pocket case (a) lined in tan leather contains seven surgical instruments fitted in leather loops: one piece cast steel scalpels (b, c, d, e) with various blade types, single piece tenaculum (f) with broken hook, ebony handled scraper (…
A rectangular double-fold burgundy fine grain leather surgeon’s pocket case (a) lined in tan leather contains seven surgical instruments fitted in leather loops: one piece cast steel scalpels (b, c, d, e) with various blade types, single piece tenaculum (f) with broken hook, ebony handled scraper (g) and needle holder (h); each section has two leather side flaps to contain contents; once folded metal snap closure; incomplete set; with manufacturers decorative gold label and hand written name of original owner
Number Of Parts
8
Part Names
a – case – Size (folded) : Length 14.3 cm x Width 7.4 cm x Depth 2.5 cm
b – scalpel – Size: Length 12.7cm x Width 1.0 cm x Depth 0.2 cm
c – scalpel – Size: Length 12.8 cm x Width 1.0 cm x Depth 0.4 cm
d – scalpel – Size: Length 13.9 cm x Width 1.2 cm x Depth 0.5 cm
e – scalpel – Size: Length 14.0 cm x Width 1.2 cm x Depth 0.5cm
f – tenaculum – Size: Length 12.7 cm x Width 1.0 cm x Depth 0.2 cm
g – scraper – Size: Length 11.3 cm x Width 1.6 cm x Depth 1.1 cm
h – needle holder – Size: Length 12.6 cm x Width 3.5 cm x Depth 0.6 cm
Provenance
Originally owned by Dr. Arthur Ross; donated by Dean Barry Smith, Faculty of Medicine, Queen's University.
Printed on gold label interior flap: (a): "DR. A. P. CHOWN // IMPORTER OF // DRUGS AND // SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS // TRUSSES ETC // 185 PRINCESS ST. KINGSTON, ONT."; hand written in pencil on interior left flap: "Dr Arthur Ross"; scalpel (b) with Kny-Scheerer Trade Mark engraved in handle; engraved in scraper handle (g): "REAL EBONY // FRANCE"; engraved in tenaculum handle (f) "K" overlapping a "C"
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-F1-17
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
Leather faded and minor stains; some broken stitching on loops; moderate staining on bottom left flap front; some pitting, scratches and minor corrosion on instruments; tip of scalpel (c) blade and tip of tenaculum hook broken; scraper end is very worn and possibly broken
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Document
Reference Comments
Kny-Scheerer Company Surgical Instruments. 21st ed. Milwaukee: Roemer Drug Company, 1915. Previous Faculty of Medicine, Queen's University #: 997.001.970 a-h
Research Facts
This style of surgeon's pocket case was sold with a variety of instrument content options. Tools could be ordered seperately and then pieced together by a supplier (such as Dr. Chown). Generally labeled as 'Nurses' Pocket Cases' in catalogues from the time, but physicians could have made use of them as well. The Kny-Scheerer Catalogue from 1915 shows similar models to this one.
Exhibit History
On exhibit in the Friend - Vandewater Galler in Botterell Hall; removed January 27, 2010