Operating table

Operating table Operating table Operating table Operating table Operating table Operating table Operating table Operating table Operating table Operating table Operating table Operating table Operating table Operating table Operating table Operating table

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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Foldable metal operating table, in three adjustable sections, made by C. Stiefenhofer, a medical instrument supplier in Munich, Germany, for the German military but likely to have been requisitioned by allied forces and re-used in a British medical facility during the First World War, 1914-1918.

Sturdy but flexible, this metal operating table consists of three sections, the top and bottom parts of which can be adjusted into number of different positions to support a patient. The three sections along which the table legs can also be folded up for ease of transport. The lattice-like structure reduces the weight of the metal structure, without a significant loss of strength.

The table was originally described as British and it is believed to have been used in medical facilities – such as Casualty Clearing Stations – during the First World War, 1914-1918. Closer examination of the table revealed that it was made by C. Steifenhofer, a supplier of medical equipment based in Munich, Germany. This suggests that the table may well have been requisitioned during an Allied advance and then re-used in a British medical facility. Such re-purposing of enemy supplies and equipment was a not uncommon practice.

Stiefenhofer continued as a medical supplier to the German military during the Second World War, before finally ceasing trading at the end of the 20th century.

Details

Category:
Surgery
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A635085
Materials:
iron and complete
type:
operating tables
credit:
Loan, Wellcome Trust