Archives: Medicine

A fine 19th C French Piorry monaural stethoscope in ebony and ivory. The stethoscope has been kept in very clean condition with a lacquer finish. This gives the appearance of being an artificial material but the unmistakable grain of elephant ivory can be seen in the photographs.

A beautiful early 19th century German 2 piece stethoscope with an ivory earpiece and a dark brown wooden chest piece. The ivory earpiece is delicately carved. The thread to the stem is loose but does hold. There is a small area of colour change over the chest piece which can be seen in the pictures and which is related to the grain and there is no damage to the wood itself.

This is a beautiful 2 piece monaural stethoscope from the late 1800's. The ivory fixing piece has a small crack but is structurally sound. The maker's mark (Maw) is engraved on the bottom of the chest piece.

This two piece ebony monaural stethoscope has a nice patina and is in excellent condition. The earpiece screws into the stem securely and there is no loss of thread. The owner's name has been written on the bottom of the chest piece. 160 mm x 58 mm.

This 2 piece monaural stethoscope dates to the late 19th / early 20th century. It is made from nickel plated brass. Although it can be detached into two separate pieces it comes in a rare original leather carrying case.

Ford Bell Type Stethoscope with a finger rest at the top of the bell. The original rubber protective sheath is present  which made a warmer contact with the patient's chest. The tubes and 'ivorine' ear pieces are original. Dates to 1920's

From the 1920s this stethoscope was supplied with the Becton Dickenson pocket Manometer (see below). Come with original tubing and ear pieces in excellent condition.

This early 20th Century 2 piece monaural stethoscope is in excellent condition. The stem is detachable and can be housed in the body of the chest piece to aid portability for the visiting physician

This early 20th Century 2 piece monaural stethoscope is in excellent condition. The stem is detachable and can be housed in the body of the chest piece to aid portability for the visiting physician

This 1920's sphygmomanometer comes with its own folding base and separate non spilling mercury reservoir. The cuff and pump are all original. In the stethoscope section there is a 'matching' stethoscope. It is rather difficult to imagine how this would fit in anybody's pocket!

Marey's Sphygmograph by Boulitte Paris

A fine Marey's sphygmograph, the precursors to the ECG and sphygmomanometer which was used to monitor the pulse and heart rhythm. This is the most pristine example I have seen and would have been one of the last models ever made dating to the late 19th or possibly early 20th century. The maroon velvet lined box is marked in gold embossed letters "Ch. Verdin, G. Boulitte Sr. 7, Rue Linne Paris". One open compartment accommodates the frame for the brass plate a second closed compartment contains the two original styluses. The body of the main is marked "Boulittes 7 Rue Linne Paris" and with the GB trademark. The point which rests on the radial pulse is made from polished ivory. The arm rest is made with plated metal line with grey felt and the original black silk ribbon which would secure this to the patient's arm is still present. The clockwork and pulley mechanisms remain in perfect working order.

A rare 1881 mechanism which records the pulse pressure at the wrist. A sensitive manometer sits on the radial pulse and is amplified by means of a weighted pulley. A clockwork mechanism turns a roller which winds recording paper under the needle to record a trace. The bar under which the paper traverses has been replaced. There is a stress fracture at the corner of the main vertical support, which nonethelesss remains structurally sound. The precursor to the ECG / sphygmomanometer ... and it still works after 124 years!

A rare 1881 mechanism which records the pulse pressure at the wrist. A sensitive manometer sits on the radial pulse and is amplified by means of a weighted pulley. A clockwork mechanism turns a roller which winds recording paper under the needle to record a trace. The box is structurally sound but has age related wear. The instrument itself is in perfect working order after 124 years! A fascinating precursor to the ECG / sphygmomanometer.

A very nice vintage anatomical eye made from gypsum and hand painted to a high standard. The inner central compartment which would hold the vitreous and aqueous humour is made  from glass as is the lens and the conjunctiva. The internal retinal hemisphere is made of an unknown composite. Complete and in excellent condition noting slight flaking of paint over the inner glass section as shown.

A superb and rare metal cast model of the spine used as a teaching aid to chiropractors at the turn of the century. Each vertebra has been cast separately to a very high standard. The vertebral segments are held in place by a central rubber 'spine cord' which gives the piece a remarkably lifelike flexibility. Marked on the sacrum Benko Bros NY.

A fine 19th century papier-mâché anatomical foot signed Dr Auzoux. This is a fine complete example which is in excellent condition. The various sections show the muscles, arteries, veins, nerves and bones of the foot. Numerous compartments are detachable and held in place with brass hooks. The piece appears to be dated 1943 which should either be 1843, or is possibly a date of acquisition.

A superbly detailed wax anatomical model of the head and neck dating to the early 20th century and made in Germany. Complete and in mint condition on account of being housed in its own display case with glass fronted window. Each anatomical landmark is numbered. The legend which was attached to the back of the box has been removed. Labeled (in German) 'Made from wax. Keep out of direct sunlight and heat'.

It was custom in china for ladies to describe their ills to the doctor by pointing to an ivory effigy. This was considered preferable and less embarrassing than having to point to one's own anatomy. This is an exquisitely hand carved piece 80 x25mm. Note the ornate engraving on the shoes. The patina suggests some age and the piece is signed.

This piece was invented by Charles J.B. Williams around 1835. Williams took the previous versions of the stethoscope (designed by Laennec and Piorry) and improved upon them. This piece is complete with its removable ear piece that can fit into either end. It has a lovely patina and is in excellent condition noting the smallest of hairline cracks in the edge of the main bell which is of no structural significance.

A Stokes' 2 piece monaural stethoscope from the last half of the 19th century. It is made from ebonised hardwood which has a lovely patina. The earpiece has a bulbous appearance which is characteristic of Stokes' stethoscopes. In fine condition noting some small marks to the stem and bell (see pictures). Dimensions: 20 x 5.2 cm

A beautifully decorated cased syringe set from the early 20th C and likely to have been of American origin. Complete with both syringes, needle holders, spare needles and the wire threads for keeping the needles patent. The sprung hinge remains solid and the lid closes securely. The case measures 90 x 65 x 15 mm

A lovely brass French enema with a pleasing patina housed in its original case. The balloon is made from rubber (which has largely vulcanised) with a green veneer. The tubing is lined with green woven silk which has faded in parts. Complete with all original parts in good order. The wooden case is covered in black embossed leather and lined with blue velvet. The arched dome shaped lid closes securely and the latch is sound. In excellent condition noting a good repair to the hinge. Dimensions 6 x 10 x 19 cm

A second Spermatorrhoea ring from the same manufacturer fastened with a clip catch.  Referred to as a 'Pollutions-ring' (English) a 'Penis jugum' (German), a 'Compresseur uretral' (French) and 'Anillo para la esperma torreo, sencillo' (Italian). Concern about the dangers of masturbation was not the sole remit of the Victorians, but was a commonly held belief throughout Europe. Such views were rife from the eighteenth century, through to the early 20th Century. Anti-onanism devices were intended to prevent activity which was considered amoral as well as being a  wastage of bodily energy which would result in physical illness and debility.

A Ford Bell stethoscope with a knight spring mechanism which pulled the earpieces together allowing the stethoscope to be held with one hand. The chest piece is made of horn and the earpieces are of gutta-percha. The spring mechanism is signed "Codman & Shurtleff Boston". This rare combination of a bell stethoscope with knight's spring is the only one I am aware of.

It is easy to forget the squalor, poor hygiene, stench and infestations which our forefathers endured. In the 18th and 19th century flea traps were filled with a few drops of blood and honey or resin, depending on your financial means. Supposedly, fleas attracted by the blood would enter the trap and get stuck to the honey or resin. They were hung around the neck, worn in ladies clothes or kept in bed. This 19th C example has been carved from a coquilla nut. A similar flea trap is show here and an older ivory example here

A lovely plaster and metal model of the eye with the superior and inferior halves enclosing a transparent eye ball with the optic nerve exiting posteriorly. Blood vessels are painted on the back of the retina and a plastic lens gives surprisingly effective magnification. The plaster work has been chipped around the front of the eye but this is minor and the general condition and overall appearance is excellent. Made by the Central Scientific Company (Chicago)