Pocket surgical instrument set, Germany, 1851-1900
This instrument set is easily portable, designed to fit into a surgeon’s or physician’s pocket. It contains two folding scalpels in tortoiseshell cases, a bistoury, a catheter, a tongue depressor, scissors, ophthalmic forceps, forceps for applying bandages, and a needle holder. The maker’s name, Windler, is marked on some of the objects. H Windler was a German surgical instrument maker working in the mid 1800s.
Object number:
A646718
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
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: tongue-depressor
blade that is used to depress the tongue to allow for inspection of the mouth and throat
Glossary: surgical instrument set
Set of instruments to be used for surgery. A physician would often build up their own collection of favoured tools in order to feel as comfortable as possible when carrying out surgery.
Glossary: catheter
A flexible tube, narrow enough to be inserted into the body, where it is used for withdrawing fluids. Most typically used for extracting urine from the bladder.
Glossary: scalpel
A small thin sharp blade used by surgeons.