Signoroni's tourniquet, adjustable horse-shoe frame with end pressure pads, by Arnold, London, c. 1850

The Signoroni-type tourniquet, designed by a Milanese surgeon, is horse-shoe shaped with adjustable pads. It is used in the treatment of heavy bleeding to stop the flow of blood. The pressure is concentrated on the artery and not the surrounding blood vessels as would be the case with earlier designs. Arnold & Sons were a major surgical instrument maker located in West Smithfield, London, where they were ideally placed to supply several nearby hospitals.