The galvanocautery handle (a) consists of a thick, flat octagonal handle made of two joined pieces of dark wood; two wires joined by black rubber coating and protected by yellow rubber exit through a round hole at one end of the handle; wood pieces are held together by two round slotted screws; a r…
The galvanocautery handle (a) consists of a thick, flat octagonal handle made of two joined pieces of dark wood; two wires joined by black rubber coating and protected by yellow rubber exit through a round hole at one end of the handle; wood pieces are held together by two round slotted screws; a round metal joint joined with a nut and bolt extends from the other end; two cylindrical hollow rods extend from this joint, connected by two oblong flat wooden disks; these hollow rods accomodate (b), a straight nasal electrode; a flat, thin metal arm attached by two slotted screws to the handle and ending with a thick round wooden disk with a hole in the middle, and a curving metal hook, operated by another thin, metal arm attached to the side of the handle with a slotted screw, acts as an on/off switch; the nasal electrode attaches to the handle with two solid, thin, cylindrical connecting rods; a solid wooden cylinder with a rounded top and bottom join these rods; after this connection point, the distance between the rods narrows, and they are joined by a flat, wooden oval disk; the rods continue in a straight path, and terminate at two tapering rods that join at the end to form a rounded tip.
Number Of Parts
2
Part Names
a - handle - Size: Length 25.0 cm x Width 2.3 cm x Depth 5.7 cm
b - nasal electrode - Size: Length 13.7 cm x Width 1.8 cm x Depth 1.0 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.
"COMPREX OSCILLATOR CORP. NEW YORK" stamped into the metal arm attached to the wooden handle.
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-E3-12
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
The two electric wires on the handle were coated with a yellow rubber; when the instrument was mounted originally, the wires were forced through holes in the mounting board and tied to secure the artifact; upon careful removal of the artifact from the board, the yellow rubber disintegrated where the wires had been tied; 2 cm of this yellow rubber remains coating one wire; 0.5 cm remains on the other; the black rubber coating binding both wires appears very soft and brittle; the metal on the object shows slight signs of wear; the plating is slightly worn; the exposed wires are bent and a black discolouration (from the deteriorating rubber?) can be found in small patches; the ends are frayed and covered with orange corrosion; #2: rubber is cracked; metal tarnished
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Person
Reference Comments
Dr. M. Williams; "An Illustrated Catalogue and Price List of Max Wocher and Son," by Max Wocher and Son, 189–, p. 104 (similar to item #1068) and p. 105 (similar to item # 1074)
Research Facts
Dr. Williams identified the item as "galvanocautery circa 1900."
Exhibit History
On loan to Fort Monroe Authority for an exhibit 'Beyond the Battlefield' L-2022-2 17 Mar - 23 Sept 2022
On display at Hotel Dieu Hospital circa 1983-1993; the item was mounted on an acidic board with copper-covered wires to secure it.