The mouth gag is a forceps-type instrument basically consisting of two arms joined in the centre by a pivot screw; the insertion end of the retractor curves downwards, up, and out as the arms bend away from each other, together, then sharply away and together in what is essentially two rounded 90° …
The mouth gag is a forceps-type instrument basically consisting of two arms joined in the centre by a pivot screw; the insertion end of the retractor curves downwards, up, and out as the arms bend away from each other, together, then sharply away and together in what is essentially two rounded 90° curves; the tips are blunt, oblong and rounded; the handles are scissor type, extending into two circular loops for finger holds; on the left inside of the handle, screwed in at the top, is a small, thin metal tab that attaches to another tab; this tab pivots on a screw; its bottom is rounded, with small triangular teeth, and its tip extends out underneath the handle, flaring into a rounded grip; the teeth mesh with the teeth on the ratchet; a quarter-circle piece of metal extending from the right handle through a slot in the left; these teeth allow the opening of the retractor's arms, but closure is possible only by pressing on the tab's grip, which releases the teeth.
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Owned and used by Dr. Malcolm E. McPherson, a graduate of Queen's School of Medicine in 1929; Dr. McPherson practised in Hawthorne, NS; he was a G.P. but specialized in gynecology.
Maker
Haslam
Dates
1931
circa 1931
Date Remarks
McPherson practised 1931-1957
Material
metal: silver; brown
Inscriptions
On ratchet: "REG. U.S. PAT. OFF."; on bottom of ratchet: "LOKTITE"; on top of right arm: "CHROMED"; on bottom of right arm: "HASLAM"; on inside of right arm: "RIGHTER PAT."
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-E3-2
Dimension Notes
Length 13.2 cm x Width 11.4 cm x Depth 6.4 cm
Condition Remarks
Chrome plating is flaking off in parts, revealing the discoloured metal underneath, especially on left handle, teeth of ratchet, and inside of handle; otherwise stable.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Person
Photo
JPG
Reference Comments
"Hospital Catalogue, General Surgical ed." by Sklar Instruments, 1992 p. 314 (gripping mechanism similar to "The Genuine Sklar Tru-Grip Ratchet"); "Surgical Instrument Catalog," by Storz Instrument Co., 1966, p. 278 (item #N-7415); Ms. Lyall McPherson (daughter); photo (in file); CD #3
Exhibit History
Loaned to the Agnes Etherington Art Centre for the Museopathy exhibit, May 24-Sept. 17, 2001.