A long, kidney-shaped metal basin that is coated with white enamel; the inside bottom has rounded sides that extend to a rolled lip-like edge, in blue enamel, at the top; the basin is seamless and all edges are softly curved.
A long, kidney-shaped metal basin that is coated with white enamel; the inside bottom has rounded sides that extend to a rolled lip-like edge, in blue enamel, at the top; the basin is seamless and all edges are softly curved.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Used either by Dr. C. H. Bird or by Dr. Godfrey Bird, of Gananoque, Ont.
Dates
1920
1930
circa 1920-1930
Material
metal:
enamel: white
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-D3-6
Length
30.4 cm
Width
13.5 cm
Depth
5.8 cm
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Dimension Notes
Length 30.4 cm x Width 13.5 cm x Depth 5.8 cm
Condition Remarks
Basin shows significant scratches and cracking in enamel; there are three scuff marks through to the metal on the bottom; inside bottom is somewhat discoloured; there are patches of inactive corrosion along rolled lip
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Reference Comments
"Pilling Instruments and Equipment for Surgeons and Hospitals," The George P. Pilling & Son Co., 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.