Object Record
Images
Additional Images [11]
Metadata
Title |
H.G. Kern surgical kit |
Catalog Number |
2024.13.1a-p |
Date |
ca. 1840-1880 |
Object Name |
Kit, Surgical |
Other Name |
Amputation set |
Material |
Wood/Velvet/Metal/Brass/Thread/Paper |
Dimensions |
H-3.5 W-16.5 D-7.25 inches |
Description |
A mid-nineteenth-century H.G. Kern field surgical set with amputation and trephine instruments. The case also includes a pill box and a jar of umbilical cord ligatures dating from the late-nineteenth century. See below for an item list and descriptions. (a) Mahogany or rosewood case with eight brass corner plates and lock; two hook and eye latches; recessed brass plate (not engraved). Interior lined with red velvet. At least three instruments are missing from the case: a scalpel from the removable top tray, forceps from the bottom tray, and possibly a tourniquet apparatus. (b) Top velvet-lined wood removable tray. (c) Late-nineteenth century paper pill box; Printed on bottom of lid: C. F. Melton / Druggist / 18th and Harney / Louisville, Ky. Handwritten onto the top of the lid: 1/4 gr. Morphine Tab[let]s. In top removal tray. (d) Small tissue forceps/tweezers. In top removable tray. (e) Surgical hook/retractor with crosshatched ebony handle; H.G. Kern engraved on metal. In top removable tray. (f) Single-edged scalpel/small knife with crosshatched ebony handle; H.G. Kern engraved on metal. In top removable tray. (g) Liston-type double-edged amputation knife with crosshatched ebony handle; 7 inch blade has a blunt or broken-off tip; H.G. Kern engraved on metal. In top removable tray. (h) Liston-type single-edged amputation knife with crosshatched ebony handle; 7 1/2 inch blade has a blunt or broken-off tip. H.G. Kern engraved on metal. In top removable tray. (i) Liston-type double-egged amputation knife with crosshatched ebony handle; 10 inch blade has a blunt or broken-off tip. H.G. Kern engraved on metal. In top removable tray. (j) Glass jar with metal cap, inside has a cork with hole for ligatures to be pulled through and a coil of ligatures. Paper label on inside of bottle reads: "'Tightens as Tissues Shrink' / ''Neversslip' / Trade Mark / For 15 Baby Cases / Umbilical Cord Ligatures / Sterilized and sealed in 'NSS" Laboratory / 'NSS' Sales Co., Mfrs. / Wenona, Illinois." In bottom tray. (k) 2-inch ebony file. In bottom tray. (l) Small crown trephine (skull drill) with crosshatched ebony handle. In bottom tray. (m)Crown trephine (skull drill) with crosshatched ebony handle. In bottom tray. (n) Hey's saw/cranial saw with crosshatched ebony handle. In bottom tray. (o) Bone saw with crosshatched ebony handle and broken-off parts of handle missing; 10 1/2 inch blade, bent at the end. In bottom tray. (p) Metacarpal bone saw with crosshatched ebony handle. In bottom tray underneath larger bone saw. |
Search Terms |
Medicine Nineteenth century Pharmacists Physicians Surgeons Surgical instruments and apparatus |