An attractive early 20th century tonsillotome / adenotome with nicely fashioned Bakelite or composite handle which has been moulded to accommodate the surgeons hand.

When the thumb rest is pushed forwards the framed knife edge is pulled through and past the three pronged fork, effectively excising the tonsillar tissue with a one handed procedure leaving the other hand free to apply haemostatic pressure to the bleeding tonsillar bed.

• From the Phisick collection