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Described as a clamp-like device used to hold the penis while performing the circumcision, this is a folding tongue depressor. Aihhh! |
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| This Civil War period token was thought to be medical. It is not. Keep in mind that the caduceus originated as a symbol of commerce and trade, and that it was carried by Hermes (Mercury), the messenger of the Classical gods. True, it has been corrupted and became a medical symbol, probably in the early 19th century, but not in this case. Also, note the inclusion of a balance to indicate trade. |
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| The seller of this breast pump, less rubber bulb, though it was a glass ear trumpet. The comment was, I have never seen another one like it. Nor had anyone else. |
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| The military emblems on this bed made the seller think that it a was Civil War hospital bed. The emblem is that of the U.S. Army Quartermaster's Department and was in use from 1896 to 1921. |
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Faked medical canes are made by taking a syringe set such as shown here and attaching it to a cut-off cane stick. |
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| This copper horn was thought to be a stethoscope. |
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| This form of saw appears is in some of the literature (d'Allemagne, Thompson, Wilber) as a surgical saw. Rather, it is a craftsman's saw. |
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| A Martin's pelvimeter, an obstetrical instrument, has been misconstrued to be a phrenology caliper. |
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| Here we have am old Bullet Puller that could have been used in the Civil War. This item is in excellent condition and is an awesome piece of history. It is marked Patent 547292 and Hettinger. This could have been used in the Civil War to save soldiers lives. This would be a nice piece for and true Civil War memorabela [sic] collector. I'd say that we have a c. 1920 gyn instrument and a seller who has trouble with spelling. |
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| This folding woodsman's saw was incorrectly identified in Bennion to be a surgical saw. Problems? Blade too thick; Blade lacks a spine and is not rigid; Teeth profile good for wood, bad for bone; A lanyard for hanging on belt or knapsack. |
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| Here's another mistake found in Bennion, courtesy of the Wellcome. The small pewter case was made for storing nail brushes, as documented in the illustration from Maw's 1882 catalogue. These are frequently sold today as leech carriers due to an example on display at the Wellcome that has been inscribed: LEECHES. The inscription is bogus and has been copied by others. A little improving has made a basically worthless object gain a value of $500+. |
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| Nice looking leeches jar of a c. 1900 German type, but a reproduction in reality. |  |
| And, here's a rather awful example of a repro leeches jar. The lid reminds me of those energy dome hats worn by Devo in the video of Whip it. |
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