3 lengths of blue/grey Milne's silkworm gut ligature in metal canister, by the Galen Manufacturing Co. Ltd., English, late 19th or early 20th century
Used to close incisions and bring tissue together, silkworm gut was popular among some surgeons for sutures deep inside the body. The blue 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:
- A616708
- Materials:
- canister, metal and suture, silkworm gut
- Measurements:
-
overall ligature: 7 mm x 58.9 mm x 58.5 mm,
overall (closed): 20.04 mm 71.2 mm, .04 kg
- type:
- sutures
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust
