Glossary
A
alms bowl
The giving of alms, or charitable donations, is a ritual in many religions. An alms bowl was a vessel into which these charitable donations would be placed.
alms box
Box used to collect alms, or charitable donations. Historically also known as a 'poor box' or 'mite box', it was often placed in church to collect money for the needy.
ambergris
A wax like substance that is an intestinal secretion of the sperm whale. It is found floating on tropical seas and has been used to make perfume.
ambulance
A vehicle used for taking people to and from hospital for treatment, particularly in emergencies.
amenorrhoea
The abnormal absence of menstruation
amino acid analyser
used in laboratories to analyse amino acids
ammoniaphone
Instrument which uses the inhalation of ammonia to treat bronchial disorders.
amoxicillin
A form of penicillin that is easily absorbed. It is used for a variety of ailments, including middle-ear and sinus infections, salmonella and gonorrhoea.
amphibian remains
Whole or part remains of an animal from the amphibian family (amphibia). A group of vertebrate animals distinguished by having two distinct forms during its life cycle, one in water and the other usually out of water breathing air.
ampoule
A sealed glass or plastic capsule containing one dose of a drug in the form of a sterile solution for injection.
amputation
Removal of part of, or a whole limb by surgery. Used to control pain or the spread of disease in the affected limb.
amputation instrument set
Set of instruments used for amputation, usually of external limbs. The amputation saw was the primary part, usually present in all sets of this type.
amputation knife
A broad-bladed knife used primarily for cutting large muscles during major amputations of limbs
amputation saw
Saw used for amputation. These tend to be instruments from the past, and were in common usage from c. 1500-1940 in Europe.
amulet
Small object or piece of jewellery worn as a protecting charm to ward off ill health and bad luck.
amulet case
Container for housing an amulet
amyl nitrite
A liquid that is used to treat heart disease by causing the blood vessels to widen.
anaemia
A shortage of haemoglobin (the pigment carrying oxygen in red blood cells). Symptoms include weakness, pale skin, breathlessness, faintness, palpitations, and lowered resistance to infection.
anaesthetic
An agent that causes insensitivity to pain. Applied to either the whole body (general anaesthetic) or a particular area or region (local anaesthetic).
anaesthetic syringe
syringe used to administer anaesthetic particularly in dentistry