This illuminated mouth gag consists of three main parts: (a) a mouth gag, (b) a cord and light socket; and (c) a small light bulb; the mouth gag consists of two joined piecess; one is a thin, solid, flat metal bar that is L-shaped; its top is slightly rounded, and the bend is curved; the bottom of …
This illuminated mouth gag consists of three main parts: (a) a mouth gag, (b) a cord and light socket; and (c) a small light bulb; the mouth gag consists of two joined piecess; one is a thin, solid, flat metal bar that is L-shaped; its top is slightly rounded, and the bend is curved; the bottom of the L extends at a slight upwards angle; at the end of this lower bar, the metal curves and leads to a bar that extends straight upwards slightly, then bends on a curve outwards to form a rounded hook; the second component is attached to the curved hook by two thin metal clasps on either side of the hook just below the bend; another thin, flat metal piece extends from between these clasps in a curve that mirrors the curvature of the hook; the flat metal curves downwards, then upwards again, to arrive on a plateau; the metal forms a flat, tongue-shaped component with rounded corners; the straight up and down component of part (a) is attached to the cord and light socket (b) by another metal clasp that slides on from above; two metal arms then partially encircle the long, flat bar of (a); the clasp arms of component (b) are part of a larger flat square metal piece that narrows slightly at its bottom, then forms another flat metal curving arm; the arm descends briefly, curves around at a 45° angle, and extends in a straight path at a slight incline; the metal bar narrows, then widens again as it curves upwards at another 45° angle to form a curved hook; the cord and light socket are attached to this curved, flat, wide metal hook with a closed metal clip; a round metal cap joins a black plastic wire cover to this clip; and a thin, round solid curving metal wire to the light socket; this socket is round and cylindrical; two square lips protrude from either side of the socket opening; metal threading and a socket connector are visible inside; the black plastic wire cover protects the end of two metal wires that are otherwise covered by a black rubber or plastic coating; these wires are curled into two loops, from years of storage; a light bulb (c) fits into component (b) in the light socket fixture; it is a small bulb, with a clear glass top and a ring of white glass along its rim where it is attached to a metal threaded cylinder; this cylinder is capped by a black conical power source connection point with a circular silver-coloured tip; two small wires can be seen in the bulb.
Number Of Parts
3
Part Names
a - mouth gag - Size: Length 10.0 cm x Width 7.5 cm x Depth 0.5 cm
b - cord and light socket - Size: Length 72.0 cm x Width 9.0 cm x Depth 7.0 cm
c - light bulb - Size: Length 1.7 cm x Width 1.1 cm x Depth 1.3 cm
Provenance
Originally owned by Dr. Publow, who practised in Prince Edward County between 1850 and 1900. Given to Dr. M. Williams, head of Otolaryngology at Queen's University.
Dates
1910
circa 1910
Date Remarks
Patent date April 12, 1910
Material
metal: silver
plastic: black
rubber: black
glass: clear
Inscriptions
Top of long bar of (a) has, "CAMERON'S", "PAT APR. 12, 1910" and "OTHER PATENTS PENDING" stamped into the metal; "EVEREADY" is stamped into the metal rim of the light bulb.
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-E3-2
Condition Remarks
Slight corrosion in the form of small spots on the metal components and between the threads of the light bulb; rubber/plastic is deteriorating and cracking, especially at the top and where the cord connects to the metal, and at the end of the cord; this had been forced into one of the small holes on the mount board and as a result it is cracked; cord is curled into two loops; when examiner attempted to straighten the cord, a cracking noise was heard, so this procedure was stopped; what appear to be fingerprints have stained the metal on the longer bar of (b); #2: metal is rusty; #3: rubber requires special treatment.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Person
Photograph
JPG
Reference Comments
Dr. M. Williams; CD #4
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.