Amputation set, cased, by T. Chapman, Scotland, 1801-1900
Each instrument inside this kit is needed to carry out an amputation of an arm or leg. This includes saws, forceps, scalpels and knives to cut through bone, tissue and skin. There are also ways of slowing down or preventing blood loss by using a tourniquet or artery forceps.
Amputation saw with wooden handle
Amputation saws are used to cut through bones of the arms or legs. As this example has wooden handles, they could not be easily sterilised between uses. It is likely that this pre-date ideas of aseptic surgery - to prevent infection during operations.
Petit type screw tourniquet, by T Chapman, Edinburgh, Scotland, probably 1801-1900
Tourniquets are used to control bleeding or the arms of legs by applying pressure. Tourniquets were also used using amputations.
John-Louis Petit (1674-1760), a Parisian surgeon, was the first of many to introduce improvements to the tourniquet, which was invented by Ambroise Paré in the 1500s. In 1718, Petit attached a circular bandage to a screw and a leather pad to allow pressure to be focussed on a specific point. It had the advantage of not requiring an assistant to apply constant pressure to the bleeding and became the most commonly used tourniquet throughout the 1800s due to its simple but effective design.
Bone cutting forceps from amputation set, by T Chapham, Edinburgh, Scotland, probably 1801-1900
As an alternative to a saw, bone cutting forceps are used to divide bone during an operation.
Two scalpels with wooden handles, from amputation set, by T Chapman, Edinburgh, Scotland, probably 1801-1900
Scalpels with sharp blades are used to make incisions during surgical procedures. As these examples have wooden handles, they could not be easily sterilised between uses. It is likely that these pre-date ideas of aseptic surgery - to prevent infection during operations.
, by T Chapman, Edinburgh, Scotland, probably 1801-1900Artery forceps from amputation set.
Artery forceps are used to control bleeding from blood vessels by clamping down on the artery.
Metal cannula, from amputation set, by T Chapman, Edinburgh, Scotland, probably 1801-1900
A cannula is a thin tube inserted into the body. They create a route for fluid delivery or removal.
Finger saw with wooden handle, from amputation set, by T Chapman, Edinburgh, Scotland, probably 1801-1900
Finger saws are used for amputations of fingers. As these examples have wooden handles, they could not be easily sterilised between uses. It is likely that these pre-date ideas of aseptic surgery - to prevent infection during operations.
Three amputation knives with wooden handles, by T Chapman, Edinburgh, Scotland, probably 1801-190
Amputation knives are used for cutting the tissue and muscle around a limb to reveal the bones. The textured handles were designed to help with grip. As these examples have wooden handles, they could not be easily sterilised between uses. It is likely that these pre-date ideas of aseptic surgery - to prevent infection during operations.
Case for amputation set, by T. Chapman, Scotland, probably 1801-1900
Each instrument inside this kit is needed to carry out an amputation of an arm or leg. This includes saws, forceps, scalpels and knives to cut through bone, tissue and skin. There are also ways of slowing down or preventing blood loss by using a tourniquet or artery forceps.
