Component (a), an inner rod and rasp, begins as a rotating handle that is smooth and round and flares slightly at its bottom, tapers, then flares in the middle, tapers again and flares slightly at the top, where it joins a flat, curved arm; the bottom of the handle is a flat, round disk with grippiā¦
Component (a), an inner rod and rasp, begins as a rotating handle that is smooth and round and flares slightly at its bottom, tapers, then flares in the middle, tapers again and flares slightly at the top, where it joins a flat, curved arm; the bottom of the handle is a flat, round disk with gripping lines stamped on its rim; the arm extending from the handle curves in a shallow "S" pattern and is joined to a short, round cylinder by a flat, round disk with gripping lines stamped along the rim; this small disk has two thin notches on either side; between these notches, the end of a round connecting pin can be seen; the short, round cylinder leads to a thinner short, round cylinder, topped by a short length of raised metal threading; a thin, round, solid length of rod extends from these threads; this long rod becomes segmented near its end; there are six segments in total, the first four of which are about half a centimetre long; the second-last segment is 0.3 cm long and it connects the rest of the segment and the rod to a short, cylidrical segment capped by a ring of eight triangular teeth, and a central triangular tooth; component (a), the inner rod and rasp, is designed to run through the middle of component (b), an outer cylinder and tube, with the handle and handle arm of component (a) protruding from the bottom of component (b), and the toothed tip of component (a) protruding slightly from the tube end of component (b); (b) begins as a rough, hollow cylinder that is textured by a rough diamond pattern; the cylinder ends at a thin, flat diamond-shaped piece that is attached to the bottom of the cylinder; a thin, round metal tube extends from the flat surface of this piece; it travels in a straight path, then curves slightly towards its end; a round opening is visible at the end of the tube.
Number Of Parts
2
Part Names
a - inner rod and rasp - Size: Length 24.0 cm x Width 4.3 cm x Depth 0.5 cm
b - outer cylinder and tube - Size: Length 20.0 cm x Width 3.1 cm x Depth 3.2 cm
Provenance
Originally owned by Dr. Publow, who practised in Prince Edward County between 1906 and 1972, and was a graduate of Queen's University. He had a special interest in dairy and cheese, having once been a cheese and butter maker. Served in WWI overseas in the rank of Captain. He was born in 1882 and died in 1972 at the age of 89. Item given to Dr. M. Williams, head of Otolaryngology at Queen's University.
Commercial application of chrome plating began in 1923. The Stevens Company logo changed at the latest by 1968.
Material
metal: silver
Inscriptions
On the flat face of the handle arm are the words "CHROME", "GERMANY", and "Stevens", all stamped separately into the metal; on the cylinder and tube component (b), the number "6" is stamped into the metal twice, on either side of the opening at the bottom of the rough cylinder; the number "66" is also stamped on the short cylinder of component (a).
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-E3-7
Length
23.2
Width
4.5
Height
2.1
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Dimension Notes
Length 23.2cm x Width 4.5cm x Height 2.1cm
Condition Remarks
Very minor signs of wear on the flat, diamond-shaped piece at the end of the rough cylinder facing the thin curved rod; small scratches and a filmy deposit can be seen here; tiny scratches and five small dents can be seen about halfway down the curved rod; greyish matter has become trapped between the triangular teeth.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Person
Reference Comments
Dr. M. Williams; "Storz Surgical Instruments," by the Storz Instrument Co., 1966, p. 159 (item #N-2715) (see attached photocopy)
A Textbook of Practical Obstetrics, Grandin and Jarman, 1897, pg. 148.
Research Facts
Dr. Williams identified this item as an "aural rasp." The catalogue states that it is a "hand drill for perforating the antrum wall" of the sinus.
It could also be a Braun Trephine, used for foetal crainotomy.
Exhibit History
On display at Hotel Dieu Hospital circa 1983-1993; the item was mounted on an acidic board with copper-covered wires to secure it.