Carton of silkworm gut ligature
- Made:
- 1915-1953
Carton of 100 strands of pink silkworm gut ligature, supplied by R. Whitelaw (Abdn.) Ltd., 1915-1953
Used to close incisions and bring tissue together, silkworm gut was popular among some surgeons for sutures deep inside the body. The pink colour may have made it easier to see and use during operations. It was also popular with anglers and those interested in fishing as it was strong but light. By the 1940s, it was replaced by synthetic and fibres that could be absorbed by the body.
Details
- Category:
- Surgery
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A616706
- Materials:
- ligature, silkworm gut and carton, paper
- Measurements:
-
overall (closed): 28 mm 79.4 mm, .02 kg
overall (lid): 11.2 mm 79.4 mm,
overall (ligature): 14.4 mm 80.6 mm,
- type:
- sutures
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust
