Lithotomy instrument set, London, England, 1810-1850
All the necessary equipment to carry out lithotomy surgery – in which stones (hard masses) are cut from the bladder – is contained in this set. The kit contains six staffs used to cut stones, four uterine sounds for exploring internal cavities, a scoop to remove stones, forceps, two gorgets and three bistouries (which are cutting instruments), and four scalpels. made by Savigny and Co, some of the instruments have textured handles to improve grip. These are made from ebony, a hard wearing wood.
Object number:
A610576
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: gorget
An instrument used in the operation for removal of stones from the bladder. It is a director or guide with a wide groove.
Glossary: bistoury caché
A long, narrow-bladed knife, with a straight or curved edge and sharp or blunt point (probe-point); used for opening or slitting cavities or hollow structures. Bistoury caché literally translates as hidden knife
Glossary: lithotomy
The operation of cutting stones from the hollow organs, such as the kidney or bladder.
Glossary: scoop
A long handled spoon like instrument used for scraping parts of the body, or extracting foreign bodies.
Glossary: lithotomy instrument set
Instrument set for performing lithotomies - The operation, art, or practice of cutting for stone in the bladder.
Glossary: lithotomy staff
The grooved director for the gorget, or knife, used in cutting for stone in the bladder
Glossary: scalpel
A small thin sharp blade used by surgeons.
Glossary: forceps
A pliers-like medical instrument used to grasp tissue.
Glossary: percussion
Practice where a doctor taps on parts of the patient’s body with his fingers or an instrument called a plessor. The resulting sounds and vibrations reveal the presence of fluid or tissue that has hardened.