The item consists of a cautery and snare handle (a) with straight nasal electrode (b) and securing caps (c-f); the hollow, double cylindrical handle is smooth and has two cylindrical, threaded metal connector rods on either end; on one side of the handle, two reddish, rubber, flat round pieces are …
The item consists of a cautery and snare handle (a) with straight nasal electrode (b) and securing caps (c-f); the hollow, double cylindrical handle is smooth and has two cylindrical, threaded metal connector rods on either end; on one side of the handle, two reddish, rubber, flat round pieces are on either end; a shallow, flat metal groove runs between the two cylinders; a round wooden on/off switch is on one edge of the handle towards the cauterizing end; the on/off switch can be moved; on the side of the handle opposite the round rubber pieces, a wooden wire spool is attached by two parallel, flat, thin metal arms, held to the handle by a slotted screw; the two connecting rods at the cautery end of the handle fit the straight nasal electrode; there is a small, round hole on either end of the connectors; the two metal prongs of the electrode are secured to the connecting rods of the handle by securing caps (c) and (d); the two solid, round prongs of electrode (b) are twisted together in the mid-section, and a black strip of metal, possibly iron, is twisted between them in a spiral; the two prongs separate and run straight close together nearing the cauterizing tip; the prongs end at a thin metal wire that forms a loop at the tip of the electrode; two securing caps (c, d) secure the prongs of the electrode to the upper two connecting rods on the handle, and two (e, f) cap the two lower power source connecting rods on the handle; the securing caps are small, hollow, threaded, and bullet-shaped; two rows of gripping lines are stamped around their middles.
Number Of Parts
6
Part Names
a - handle - Size: Length 15.0 cm x Width 2.5 cm x Depth 3.5 cm
b - nasal electrode - Size: Length 13.4 cm x Width 1.2 cm x Depth 0.4 cm
c - securing cap - Size: Length 1.6 cm x Diam. 0.7 cm
d - securing cap - Size: Length 1.6 cm x Diam. 0.7 cm
e - securing cap - Size: Length 1.6 cm x Diam. 0.7 cm
f - securing cap - Size: Length 1.6 cm x Diam. 0.7 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
1890
1910
circa 1890-1910
Material
metal: silver; black
wood: light brown; dark brown
rubber: reddish-brown
Inscriptions
None
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-E3-12
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
No dents, cracks or corrosion; normal signs of wear present on metal surfaces in the form of small scratches; small red rust stains at entrance of wire holes; #2: condition unchanged; #3: condition unchanged.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Person
Reference Comments
Dr. M. Williams; "Aloe's Illustrated and Priced Catalogue of Superior Surgical Instruments, Physicians' Supplies and Hospital Furnishings," by the A.S. Aloe Co., 189–, p. 694 (similar to item 9684); "Illustrated Catalogue and Price List of Max Wocher and Son," by Max Wocher and Son, 189–, p. 105 (similar to item 1074)
Research Facts
Identified by Dr. M. Williams as "galvanocauteries, circa 1900"
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; on exhibit in the Cabinet of Curiosities, Sept. 2001-May 2002; taken to Toronto for one day for TVO's "More to Life" shoot.