Operating kit, which consists of several medical instruments housed in a case; the case (a) consists of a rectangular-shaped wooden box with brass insets at all corners; the box has a lid that is hinged onto the bottom at the back; both the top and bottom also have instrument trays that fit on top…
Operating kit, which consists of several medical instruments housed in a case; the case (a) consists of a rectangular-shaped wooden box with brass insets at all corners; the box has a lid that is hinged onto the bottom at the back; both the top and bottom also have instrument trays that fit on top of the instruments set into them; the trays on the top (b) and bottom (c) are both rectangular in shape, and made of wood with a felt-lined top section that has hollowed-out areas, designed to hold specific instruments; there is an amputation saw (d), which consists of an elongated C-shaped saw with a straight-backed, serrated blade; the saw has an extra blade (e), which is made of long, flat, straight metal; the tray that fits into the lid has areas for eight surgical instruments (mostly knives, and seven are missing); there is a pair of artery forceps (f) stored in this tray; one of the instruments in the base is a pair of bone cutting forceps (g); another instrument stored in the bottom of the case is a pair of bone cutting forceps with projecting edge (h); another instrument stored in the bottom of the case is a pair of bill-shaped rongeur forceps (i); there are also four metal drills (j-m) and a universal handle (n) in the bottom of the case; the tray that fits into the bottom of the case has areas for 18 surgical instruments (six are missing); the upper left corner houses two retractors (o,p); both retractors are made of a single piece of flat metal with rounded ends; there is a section in the front left corner of the tray that holds six thin-handled instruments (one is missing); these instruments include a tenaculum (g), two general operating knives (r,s), an aneurism needle (t) and another general operating knife (u); the upper left corner of the bottom tray houses two trephines (v,w); the tapered end of (v) has a round cap screwed into the threaded hole; this allows the attachment of an ebony handle (x); the right front corner of the bottom tray has a small, four-sided boxed area with a removable lid; there is a trephine brush (y) inside; the last instrument is housed at the centre right of the bottom tray and is a pair of arterial hemostatic forceps (z).
Number Of Parts
26
Part Names
a - box - Size: Length 42.3 cm x Width 16.0 cm x Depth 10.7 cm
b - top tray - Size: Length 39.9 cm x Width 13.7 cm x Depth 2.4 cm
c - bottom tray - Size: Length 39.9 cm x Width 13.7 cm x Depth 2.4 cm
d - amputation saw - Size: Length 37.4 cm x Width 9.5 cm x Depth 1.9 cm
e - amputation saw blade - Size: Length 25.1 cm x Width 1.1 cm x Depth 0.1 cm
f - artery forceps (closed) - Size: Length 12.2 cm x Width 1.0 cm x Depth 0.5 cm
g - bone cutting forceps (open) - Size: Length 29.2 cm x Width 12.3 cm x Depth 2.0 cm
h - bone cutting forceps (open) - Size: Length 22.6 cm x Width 7.5 cm x Depth 2.9 cm
i - bill-shaped rongeur forceps (open) - Size: Length 18.0 cm x Width 6.7 cm x Depth 1.8 cm
j - drill - Size: Length 8.0 cm x Width 0.2 cm x Depth 0.3 cm
k - drill - Size: Length 7.6 cm x Width 0.4 cm x Depth 0.3 cm
l - drill - Size: Length 7.7 cm x Width 0.5 cm x Depth 0.3 cm
m - drill - Size: Length 8.0 cm x Width 0.2 cm x Depth 0.3 cm
n - drill handle - Size: Length 11.0 cm x Width 2.0 cm x Depth 2.0 cm
o - retractor - Size: Length 18.4 cm x Width 2.1 cm x Depth 3.5 cm
p - retractor - Size: Length 18.4 cm x Width 2.1 cm x Depth 3.5 cm
q - tenaculum - Size: Length 17.4 cm x Width 2.2 cm x Depth 0.7 cm
r - general operating knife - Size: Length 16.0 cm x Width 1.0 cm x Depth 0.7 cm
s - general operating knife - Size: Length 16.3 cm x Width 1.0 cm x Depth 0.6 cm
t - aneurism needle - Size: Length 15.6 cm x Width 1.0 cm x Depth 0.7 cm
u - general operating knife - Size: Length 14.7 cm x Width 1.1 cm x Depth 0.5 cm
v - trephine - Size: Length 11.9 cm x Diameter 2.3 cm
w - trephine - Size: Length 10.3 cm x Diameter 1.6 cm
x - trephine handle - Size: Length 9.4 cm x Diameter 2.0 cm
y - trephine brush - Size: Length 7.2 cm x Width 1.8 cm x Depth 0.7 cm
z - arterial hemostatic forceps - Size: Length 11.7 cm x Width 1.0 cm x Depth 1.0 cm
Provenance
Collected by Dr. A. A. Travill for the Queen's University Faculty of Medicine Collection
(d) The back of the saw has the word, "SNOWDEN" stamped into the metal; (g, i) one side of the box lock joint has the words, "SNOWDEN // PHILA" stamped into the metal; (o,p) one side has the words, "SNOWDEN // PHILA" stamped into the metal; (q-u) one side of the tip is stamped "SNOWDEN" just after the handle; (z) one side of the end has the words, "SNOWDEN // PHILA" stamped into the metal; (a-c, e, f, h, j-n, v,w): no marks
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-E1-1
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
Overall, the case and instruments are in good shape; some of the instruments are missing; specific damage includes: (a) the hinge at the back right side of the case is loose and missing one screw; (j) the plating is very worn on this drill; (m) the plating is quite worn on this drill as well; (n) the wood is cracked near the tip end; (u) knife edge is worn; with the rest of the objects, the metal shows wear, but no corrosion; the wood and cloth also show wear; #3: returned in same condition; (4): velvet torn in a few places; faded slightly; metal shows wear, particularly around latches; leather worn; trepanning tools worn around head.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Books
Document
Photographs
Reference Comments
Previous number #127; Faculty of Medicine Collection 1984 Inventory; "A Pictorial Encyclopedia of Civil War Medical Instruments and Equipment," vol. 1, by Dr. Gordon Dammann, 1983, p. 21; "Antique Medical Instruments," by C. Keith Wilbur, 1987, pp. 129, 132, and 134; "Illustrated and Priced Catalogue of Superior Surgical Instruments, Physician's Supplies and Hospital Furnishings," by the A.S. Aloe Company, 189-, pp. 54, 68, 69, 75, 76, 78, 99, 146; "Surgical Instruments," by the Kny-Scheerer Company, 1915, pp. 2102, 2103; the kit originally arrived with 997.001.130a,b-997.001.133; these instruments did not orginally belong to this set
Research Facts
(h) Likely used to cut rib bones; (y) the trephine brush was used for sweeping the bone sawdust from a drilled skull.
Exhibit History
Part (d) on display in Bracken Library, "Boning Up on Anatomy" exhibit, Dec. 6, 2002-Sept. 29, 2003; On display in Bracken wing Feb. 12, 2004-Feb. 2005