Mackenzie's tonsillotome, consisting of a handle (a), blade housing arm (b), blade (c), arm attachment (d), connecting bar (e) and screw (f); the tonsillotome is a gun-like instrument with a grooved wooden handle (a) that connects at a 75° angle to the blade housing arm (b); the bottom end of the h…
Mackenzie's tonsillotome, consisting of a handle (a), blade housing arm (b), blade (c), arm attachment (d), connecting bar (e) and screw (f); the tonsillotome is a gun-like instrument with a grooved wooden handle (a) that connects at a 75° angle to the blade housing arm (b); the bottom end of the handle is rounded; the handle tapers towards the connecting end, a threaded metal rod prefaced by two round, metal disc-like protrusions; this end connects to the blade housing arm (b); the housing arm consists of a solid, thin metal bar that has a rectangular slot at its midpoint, and flares outwards towards the cutting end; its tip is rounded and an oval fenestration, bounded by a groove running around the edges of the arm's tip, accomodates the blade (c); a rectangular slot goes through the arm at its midpoint to house connecting bar (e); the handle (a) is attached to housing arm (b) at the tapered end by an angled round cylinder with metal threading inside; the blade (c) fits into the housing arm by sliding across its top to fit the blade tip into the grooves at the end of the arm (b); the blade's flared tip is congruent with the flare on the main arm (b); an open, rounded finger grip with four gripping grooves is at the end of the blade arm (c), opposite the cutting end; the blade is held in place by inserting arm attachment (d) into a long, rectangular slot running down the centre of the blade, then inserting the connecting bar (e) underneath the housing arm (b) through its short slot so that two prongs extending from the bottom of arm attachment (d) insert into two holes at the bottom of the bar; screw (f) is then inserted into a small, round hole in the middle of arm attachment (d), and connects with a similar threaded hole in connecting bar (e), securing the housing arm (b) and the blade (c) in place; the blade is then able to be used in a guillotine fashion.
Number Of Parts
6
Part Names
a - tonsillotome handle - Size: Length 12.0 cm x Diam. 2.5 cm
b - blade housing arm - Size: Length 15.5 cm x Width 3.0 cm x Depth 3.2 cm
c - blade - Size: Length 16.0 cm x Width 2.5 cm x Depth 0.6 cm
d - arm attachment - Size: Length 7.1 cm x Width 0.6 cm x Depth 0.5 cm
e - connectiong bar - Size: Length 1.5 cm x Width 0.7 cm x Depth 0.5 cm
f - screw - Size: Depth 1.1 cm x Diam. 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.
Dates
1870
1900
circa 1870-1900
Material
metal: silver
wood (wood?): dark brown
Inscriptions
"WELKER" stamped into the metal on top of blade (c) near the finger grip.
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-E3-4
Condition Remarks
The tonsillotome shows signs of wear and traces of inactive corrosion; the wooden handle (c) is cracked, the split running vertically with the grain (3.5 cm long); a cream-coloured ring of deposit, possibly old glue, rings around the centre of the handle; #2: condition appears unchanged; majority of corrosion traces located on underside of guillotine; #3: condition unchanged; #4: tarnished, plastic is cracked.
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. 125 (very similar to item #1269)
Research Facts
Dr. Williams identified the item as "Mackenzie tonsilotome circa 1870."
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 shoot, "More to Life."
"When Medicine Met Science," Museum of Health Care, April 29, 2003 - 25 Jan 2017