Earthenware eye bath

Made:
1801-1900 in England
Earthenware eye bath, with ornamental moulded stem, English Earthenware eyebath, with ornamental moulded stem, English Earthenware eyebath, with ornamental moulded stem, English Earthenware eyebath, with ornamental moulded stem, English

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Earthenware eye bath, with ornamental moulded stem, English
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Earthenware eyebath, with ornamental moulded stem, English
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Earthenware eyebath, with ornamental moulded stem, English
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.

Earthenware eyebath, with ornamental moulded stem, English
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.

Earthenware eyebath, with ornamental moulded stem, English

Eye baths are a means of applying a liquid medicine or a simple wash to a notoriously sensitive part of the body. Once the ceramic bowl was filled with a liquid, the patient would place the bath over one eye, tilt the head back and open and close their eye repeatedly in the liquid. The bowl is curved to fit the socket of the eye and avoid spillage. Such treatment may have been needed for an infection or to remove an irritation.

This particular bowl is decorated with a simple blue and white willow pattern transfer.

Details

Category:
Ophthalmology
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A606624
Materials:
earthenware
Measurements:
overall: 70 mm x 47 mm x 33 mm, .03kg
type:
eye bath
credit:
Loan, Wellcome Trust