ALEX PECK MEDICAL AND SURGICAL ANTIQUES ARCHIVES
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A c. 1860s antique amputation set by Edward Spellerberg, Philadelphia, a rare maker whose instruments this dealer has not seen before. While the instruments include most of what one would expect to find in an amputation set of this size and period, it does not have the typical minor surgery bistoury and scalpel. However, it does sport two tenacula. The small scalpel, which is original to the set, is a trephine scalpel though there are no other trephine instruments. The set belonged to S.P. Uhler, M.D., of Stone Church, Pennsylvania, and his name appears three times on the case. See Edmonson, p. 264.
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A c. 1930 binaural stethoscope by Allen & Hanburys, London. The flat Minchin's chestpiece has its original diaphragm and protective cover. The primary advantage of this design is that it was easy to slip under clothing when checking a patient. This antique stethoscope is illustrated in Allen & Hanburys' catalogue of 1930, though it certainly was introduced earlier.
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A rare c. 1800 circular amputation set by Still, Edinburgh. The set contains eight instruments (two saws, four knives, tissue forceps, and a tourniquet), six having smooth ebony handles. In addition, fitting loose, are two period silver catheters and a steel aneurysm (?) needle. A small pair of bone forceps is missing. The case is sound, noting some loss of veneer around the edge of the lid. The green wool baize lining is in fine condition. Many late eighteenth and early nineteenth century American medical students studied in Edinburgh, one of the great medical centers of the period, and this set is exemplary of the type that would have been brought back to the U.S. by such a student. Alexander Still was a surgical instrument maker who was active from the 1790s to the 1830s. See Bennion, p. 334.
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A very rare and important Murphy's anesthesia inhaler. This antique chloroform inhalation apparatus was introduced in 1848 by Edward William Murphy, M.D. (1802-1877), of London. Note the sponge chamber with simple leather flap air intake (on the cap) and exhaust valves. A reference from 1856 states that the inhaler was offered in brass at 6s/6d, or if plated, 12s/6d. This example is the plated instrument. The exact instrument is illustrated and captioned in the Weiss surgical instrument catalogue of 1863. See Weiss 1863, pl. XLI, fig. 4. First generation inhalers, such as this example, are exceedingly scarce instruments.
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A c. 1890s amputation set by Sharp & Smith, Chicago. The surgical set is complete with all of its original instruments, including two types of tourniquets. The set marks the final development in cased amputation sets. See Edmonson, p. 183.
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A lavishly engraved c. 1750 spring lancet with its original leather case. Both sides of the brass body of this bloodletting antique are engraved with decorative floral motifs and a triple border. The iron trigger bar is cut with additional fluid flourishes. The blade is original and representative of an early slender v-shape. The case is original and shows great age. This is one of the nicest examples of this type of lancet that this dealer has seen.
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A rare c. 1850 Dr. Bar's monaural obstetrical stethoscope in fruitwood. It is marked: ETABL'Ts LEUNE / MODELE DEPOSE / PARIS. This antique fetal stethoscope has an unusual cone within the earpiece.
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An unusual and specialized c. 1860 orthopedic surgery set by Mathieu, Paris. The instruments include a trephine, a chain saw, two chisels, a mallet, a metacarpal saw, an elevator, two bone forceps, and three bone scrapers. Seven of the instruments have ebony handles. A chain carrier and a retractor are missing. The mahogany case has an inset brass handle and is leather lined in the French manner.
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