Silver Plated Brunton’s Auriscope from 1890’s
A silver plated Brunton’s Auriscope for ear examination from about the 1890’s. Offered in its original presentation box of wood and morocco leather with a blue silk lined interior. Presented in good condition without any ‘dings or dents’.
This type of auriscope was invented in the mid 1860’s by Dr John Brunton (1835–1899), a licentiate of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. This type of auriscope is named after its inventor and modern otoscopes are based on his original principles.
Brunton devised his own instrument because he experienced problems examining patients with ordinary aural instruments. Date : Approx 1890
Dimensions : Box is 4" (102mm) x 3½" (89mm) x 2½” (64mm) More detailed images are shown on the right.
STOCK # NMC-DI13/001 Price (GBP) - SOLD TO CANADA (Price does not include postage, which is at cost) |
Silver Plated Brunton’s Auriscope from 1890’s |
1860’s Edmund Wheeler Slide of Human Tooth.
A professionally mounted slide from the 1860’s of a longitudinal section of human tooth. A paper covered slide that is not marked as such but presented in the style of Edmund Wheeler who was a prolific microscopy slide mounter working from premises in Tollington Road, Holloway in London.It is not marked with his logo but appears to follow the text style and colours used by Wheeler. It is also documented that Wheeler is known to not always have marked his slides, whilst some of his slides were prepared by his nephew Fredrick Enock (1845-1916) who worked for him until about 1878. He himself a prolific mounter and is famous for his preparations of insects.
Wheeler (1808-1884) was born at Strood near Rochester, Kent and produced many microscopy slides until he retired because of ailing health and sold his business and stock of over 35,000 slides to W Watson & Sons in 1884. This slide is well presented slide without chips or scratches. Research leads me to believe this is not a forgery but a genuine Wheeler slide as can be seen by the comparison with a marked Wheeler slide. (Acknowledging extensive published research on the internet from Brian Stevenson of Kentucky USA) It has not been over marked by another mounter either, which has been known.
Date : Approx 1860
Dimensions : 3" (76mm) x 1" (25mm) More detailed images are shown on the right.
STOCK # NMC-PT13/001 Price (GBP) - £ 40.00 (Price does not include postage, which is at cost) |
1860’s Edmund Wheeler Slide of Human Tooth.
Comparison from slide to example of known Wheeler label showing text styles.
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Sea Tangle Tents. (Laminaria digitata)
A box of Sea Tangle Tents that were introduced in the 1840's to dilate the cervical os for obstetric procedures. Invented by the Professor of Midwifery, Sir James Simpson. Laminaria was suggested by Simpson as a substitute for the earlier sponge tents being smaller and more rigid as they could be more easily introduced into the cervical os.
Seaweed is not used in many medical procedures, but “tangle tents” were a standard part of the obstetrician's armamentarium in the late 19th & early 20th century. They are natural products, a seaweed (Laminaria digitata) that is dried but swells again after absorbing moisture. They are inserted into the cervical canal, and over a period expand to approx 5 – 10 times their original size slowly dilating the cervix. Being a natural product each one is of a slightly different diameter and approx 50 – 90mm long, the dried stalk of the marine plant. (see photo) They however became popular with 'Back Street Abortionists' in the 1890's - 1950's. Due to their natural makeup it was difficult to be able to prove drug induced interference and famous cases such as that of Isabel Annie Aves in New Zealand in 1930’s and Nurse Mary "Mamie" Cadden in Dublin in the 1950’s included the use of tangle tents. Since the dried plant stalks retain a natural occurring central channel, introducers for these tents were fashioned from adapted uterine sounds which allowed easy insertion. String cords were attached in a laterally drilled hole to allow easier removal. CONTENT RESIDUE IS OF NO MEDICINAL VALUE AND ONLY FOR USE AS A COLLECTIBLE.
James Young Simpson (1811–1870) was the first to use ether to aid pain relief in midwifery & subsequently introduced chloroform anaesthesia in the UK in 1847. He was appointed Royal Professor of Midwifery (Obstetrician) to Queen Victoria. He was created a baronet of Edinburgh in 1866. (Information on Sir James Young Simpson)
Date : Approx 1880-1900
Dimensions : Various sizes. Between 60 - 90mm in length More detailed images are shown on the right.
STOCK # NMC-THOG12/001 Price (GBP) - £ SOLD WITHIN UK (Price does not include postage, which is at cost) |
Sea Tangle Tents. (Laminaria digitata)
Obsterical Society Fellows in 1864
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