Child's spinal support, Europe, 1771-1800

Child's spinal support, iron, perhaps French, late 18th century

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Child's spinal support, iron, perhaps French, late 18th century
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Child's spinal support, iron, perhaps French, late 18th century

Worn by a child, one arm would be placed into each of the top loops to keep the spinal support in place. Throughout this period, skeletal tuberculosis was a fairly common disease of childhood and survivors were often left with severe spinal deformation that might have required the use of such a corset. The textile covering the iron would have made it slightly more comfortable to wear.

The support was purchased by Henry Wellcome as part of a collection that had previously belonged to Noel Hamonic (active 1850-1928). Two parts were bought: one in June 1928 for £4,400 and consisting mainly of surgical instruments; the second, a collection of pharmacy equipment, in July 1928 for £803.

Details

Category:
Orthopaedics
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A634423
Materials:
iron
type:
support