Amputation saw, France, 1801-1900

Made:
1801-1900 in France
maker:
Mathieu
Reciprocating amputation saw for removal of head of femur Reciprocating amputation saw for removal of head of femur

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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Reciprocating amputation saw for removal of head of femur
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Reciprocating amputation saw for removal of head of femur
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Reciprocating amputation saw for removal of head of femur, by Mathieu, French

This ingenious device was used to cut through the femur bone in the thigh. The forceps at the front are used to grip the bone and the double edged semi-circular saw can be moved forward or backward to be placed behind the bone. The saw is then moved from side to side using the ebony handle to cut through the bone. Made by Mathieu, a French surgical instrument maker, the handles are textured to improve grip.

Details

Category:
Surgery
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A616405
Materials:
steel and ebony
Measurements:
overall: 91 mm x 309 mm x 143 mm, .4kg
type:
amputation saw