Artery forceps are used to control bleeding from blood vessels by clamping down on the artery. A locking mechanism at the handle keeps them in place. Helped by surgical instrument makers, surgeons developed their own tools, often naming them after themselves. Thomas Spencer Wells (1818-1897) was an English surgeon who became surgeon to Queen Victoria between 1863 and 1896. He developed the rachet locking mechanism holding the forceps in position. His second design had shorter jaws to increase compression and were ridged to improve grip. By being held closed, they could also not get trapped in the body's tissues or muscles. Prior to Spencer Well's designs, an assistant had to hold the forceps closed. The number of them in this kit is a testament to how popular they were and still are today.

Scissors are used to cut tissues within the body during an operation. They can be curved or straight, blunt or sharp tipped and come in a variety of sizes. Made of nickel-plated steel, this could be sterilised in heat or chemicals so they could be re-used. The arrow on the handle shows it was made for military use.

Scissors are used to cut tissues within the body during an operation. They can be curved or straight, blunt or sharp tipped and come in a variety of sizes. Made of nickel-plated steel, this could be sterilised in heat or chemicals so they could be re-used. The arrow on the handle shows it was made for military use.

The shaped jaws of the forceps were used to keep a tight grip on any bullets, shrapnel or fragments of metal to be removed from people's body. The rachet at the top of the handles, keeps the forceps in position, in case limited assistance is available.

Helped by surgical instrument makers, surgeons developed their own tools, often naming them after themselves. William Flack Stevenson (1844-1922), an army surgeon born in Ireland, who served in the Royal Artillery and at the Royal Army Medical School. From his experiences he wrote 'Wounds in War, the Mechanism of their Production and their Treatment' in 1897 and remained a authority on the subject until the First World War.

A hernia is when an internal part of the body pushes through the muscles or tissue wall. Usually found between the chest and the hips, hernias show as a small lump on the body. If the hernia starts to cut off the blood supply to tissues or organs or if it becomes blocked, an emergency operation is needed. A hernia director is used to guide a surgical knife to help repair the blockage or restore the blood flow.

Helped by surgical instrument makers, surgeons developed their own tools, often naming them after themselves. Charles Aston Key (1793-1849) was an English surgeon who specialised in removing bladder stones and hernias. He was also an early adopter of anaesthetics.

Amputation knives are used for cutting the tissue and muscle around a limb to reveal the bones. Helped by surgical instrument makers, surgeons often developed their own tools, often naming them after themselves. Robert Liston (1797-1847), a Scottish surgeon, invented this type of amputation knife. Liston knives have two different edges on the blade, which improves efficiency during operations – Liston was renowned for his speed and precision. Speed was essential in a time both before anaesthesia and understanding about infection to ensure patients survived the surgery. Liston's quickest amputation was in two and half minutes. Liston also carried out the first public surgery with either in Europe in 1846.

Helped by surgical instrument makers, surgeons often developed their own tools, often naming them after themselves. James Syme (1799-1870) was a Scottish surgeon, who developed ways of carrying out foot amputations that kept the heel pad intact so patients can still put weight on the leg, with or without a prosthetic limb. Developed in 1834, it is still used today. Syme also mentored Joseph Lister, developer of antisepsis. Lister's wife Agnes, who assisted during his many experiments was also Syme's daughter.

Scalpels with sharp blades are used to make incisions during surgical procedures. Made of nickel-plated steel, this could be sterilised in heat or chemicals so they could be re-used. The arrow on the handle shows it was made for military use.

Scalpels with sharp blades are used to make incisions during surgical procedures. Made of nickel-plated steel, this could be sterilised in heat or chemicals so they could be re-used. The arrow on the handle shows it was made for military use.

Scalpels with sharp blades are used to make incisions during surgical procedures. Made of nickel-plated steel, this could be sterilised in heat or chemicals so they could be re-used. The arrow on the handle shows it was made for military use.

Scalpels with sharp blades are used to make incisions during surgical procedures. Made of nickel-plated steel, this could be sterilised in heat or chemicals so they could be re-used. The arrow on the handle shows it was made for military use.

Scalpels with sharp blades are used to make incisions during surgical procedures. Made of nickel-plated steel, this could be sterilised in heat or chemicals so they could be re-used. The arrow on the handle shows it was made for military use.

Artery forceps are used to control bleeding from blood vessels by clamping down on the artery. A locking mechanism at the handle keeps them in place. Helped by surgical instrument makers, surgeons developed their own tools, often naming them after themselves. Thomas Henry Wakley (1821-1907), was an English surgeon who developed artery forceps with a window in each jaw, which it made it easier to place a stitched loop on a vessel. He was also the son of Thomas Wakley, surgeon and founder of the medical journal The Lancet.

A skull elevator is used to lift fractures of the skull bones to prevent futher injury to the brain. Made of nickel-plated steel, these could be sterilised in heat or chemicals so they could be re-used. The long arrow on the handle shows it was made for military use.

It was invented by Sir Victor Horsley (1857-1916), an English surgeon and physiologist who pioneered the discipline of neurosurgery in the late 1800s.

Dissecting forceps are used to hold tissue during surgical procedures. Made of nickel-plated steel, these could be sterilised in heat or chemicals so they could be re-used. The long arrow on the forceps shows it was made for military use.

Retractors are used to hold open parts of the body so surgeons can have a better view of where they are operating. Helped by surgical instrument makers, surgeons developed their own tools, often naming them after themselves. Edward Canny Ryall (1870-1922) was an Irish surgeon, who focused on urology, also establishing All Saints' Hospital in 1911 with his own funds.

Retractors are used to hold open parts of the body so surgeons can have a better view of where they are operating. Helped by surgical instrument makers, surgeons developed their own tools, often naming them after themselves. Edward Canny Ryall (1870-1922) was an Irish surgeon, who focused on urology, also establishing All Saints' Hospital in 1911 with his own funds.

Retractors are used to hold open parts of the body so surgeons can have a better view of where they are operating. Helped by surgical instrument makers, surgeons developed their own tools, often naming them after themselves. Edward Canny Ryall (1870-1922) was an Irish surgeon, who focused on urology, also establishing All Saints' Hospital in 1911 with his own funds.

Needles threaded with suture material, such as nylon or gut, are used to join up or close the edges of wounds.

Werner Hagedorn (1831-1894) was a German surgeon who invented these surgical suture needles, which are curved with flattened sides. The needles are threaded with suture material, such as nylon or gut, and are used to join up or close the edges of wounds.

Needles threaded with suture material, such as nylon or gut, are used to join up or close the edges of wounds.

Used to suture wounds and during operations, silk could not be absorbed by the body, meaning additional operations were required. By treating with heat or chemicals, the silk was sterilied to prevent infection being introduced into a person's body. By the 1940s, silk was replaced by synthetic fibres.

Tracheostomy tubes are used to provide an airway in someone's windpipe in an emergency. An opening is created in their neck and a tube placed inside to help them get air and oxygen. Some people have tracheotomy tubes for the rest of their lives, which have valves which can be opened and closed, ensuring that they have the option to speak.

Like other tracheostomy tubes, this example has an inner and outer tube. The inner tube is solid but the outer tube is split into two hooks or flanges, that can be used to pass a tape around, fixing the tube in place around the neck.

Plastic Fuller type tubes are still used.

Tracheostomy tubes are used to provide an airway in someone's windpipe in an emergency. An opening is created in their neck and a tube placed inside to help them get air and oxygen. Some people have tracheotomy tubes for the rest of their lives, which have valves which can be opened and closed, ensuring that they have the option to speak.

Like other tracheostomy tubes, this example has an inner and outer tube. The inner tube is solid but the outer tube is split into two hooks or flanges, that can be used to pass a tape around, fixing the tube in place around the neck.

Plastic Fuller type tubes are still used.

Amputation saws are used to cut through bones of limbs. During the First World War, 41,000 service people underwent amputations, losing one or more limbs. Amputations were needed as limbs were severely damaged from explosions or machine gun fire or to prevent or treat infection. In a time before antibiotics and fighting happening in muddy farmland infection was a life threatening risk.

With two round sharp ends, a scoop is used to remove tissue or bone from the body during an operation. Helped by surgical instrument makers, surgeons often developed their own tools, often naming them after themselves. It is possible that this scoop as developed by Sir Hamilton Ashley Ballance (1867-1936) or Sir Charles Alfred Ballance (1856-1936) who were brothers.

Helped by surgical instrument makers, surgeons often developed their own tools, often naming them after themselves. Robert Liston (1797-1847), a Scottish surgeon, invented this type of bone cutter. Liston was renowned for his speed and precision. Speed was essential in a time both before anaesthesia and understanding about infection to ensure patients survived the surgery. Liston's quickest amputation was in two and half minutes. Liston also carried out the first public surgery with either in Europe in 1846.

Needle holders are used during surgery to help surgeons accurately stitch tissue and blood vessels. Made of nickel-plated steel, thiscould be sterilised in heat or chemicals so they could be re-used. The arrow on the handle shows it was made for military use.

Lion forceps are used to hold bones open during realignment or repairing fractures. They are possibly called lion forceps due to the and shape of the forceps. Helped by surgical instrument makers, surgeons developed their own tools, often naming them after themselves. William Fergusson (1808-1877) was a Scottish surgeon, known for his surgical speed and developed these tools to give a firm old on the bone with two sets of teeth. Speed was essential in a time before anaesthesia to ensure patients survived the operation. As an early adopter of anaesthetics, he developed a range of operations for harelips, and amputations. Serving Queen Victoria and her family between 1847 and 1877.

Pin cutting forceps are used to remove wire and pins used to repair bones during an opeartion. The ridged handles give the surgeon a good grasp. However, these examples have a ridged jaw so are potentially bone holding forceps.

Used to hold gauze and other materials used to cover and protect wounds, after an operation, these could also be used to remove infected tissue or debris from the body. Made of nickel-plated steel, this could be sterilised in heat or chemicals so they could be re-used. The arrow on the handle shows it was made for military use.

Catheters are tubes used to empty the bladder or to widen blockages in the male urethra. The metal instrument could be sterilised by heat or chemicals and re-used.

Catheters are tubes used to empty the bladder or to widen blockages in the male urethra. The metal instrument could be sterilised by heat or chemicals and re-used.

Catheters are tubes used to empty the bladder or to widen blockages in the male urethra. The metal instrument could be sterilised by heat or chemicals and re-used.

A probang is a flexible piece of material with a sponge at the end of it to remove something from the throat or food pipe. It could also be used to apply medications if needed. Until the development of imagining technologies such as X-rays in te late 1890s, practitioners relied on what they could feel through the probang. Patients were recommended to drink oil or egg whites to make it easier for the probang to pass through their throat.

Probes are used to investigate inside the body by touch, or gently move tissue out of the way, making it easier to see. During the First World War, X-rays were starting to be used, so medical teams could see solid items, such as bullets or fragments inside the body.

Probes are used to investigate inside the body by touch, or gently move tissue out of the way, making it easier to see. During the First World War, X-rays were starting to be used, so medical teams could see solid items, such as bullets or fragments inside the body.

Probes are used to investigate inside the body by touch, or gently move tissue out of the way, making it easier to see. During the First World War, X-rays were starting to be used, so medical teams could see solid items, such as bullets or fragments inside the body.

Catheters are tubes used to empty the bladder or to widen blockages in the male urethra. Gum elastic or rubber was flexible enough to pass through the body, but rigid enough to maintain its shape.

Catheters are tubes used to empty the bladder or to widen blockages in the male urethra. Gum elastic or rubber was flexible enough to pass through the body, but rigid enough to maintain its shape.

Catheters are tubes used to empty the bladder or to widen blockages in the male urethra. Gum elastic or rubber was flexible enough to pass through the body, but rigid enough to maintain its shape.

Catheters are tubes used to empty the bladder or to widen blockages in the male urethra. Gum elastic or rubber was flexible enough to pass through the body, but rigid enough to maintain its shape.

Applying a tourniquet to a wounded arm or leg to control bleeding is a key aspect of emergency treatment. But despite centuries of battlefield use, their use during the First World War was fiercely contested. After the initial application, long delays before there was further medical attention, including the removal of the tourniquet, could starve damaged limbs of blood, leading to unnecessary amputations and even death.

Applying a tourniquet to a wounded arm or leg to control bleeding is a key aspect of emergency treatment. But despite centuries of battlefield use, their use during the First World War was fiercely contested. After the initial application, long delays before there was further medical attention, including the removal of the tourniquet, could starve damaged limbs of blood, leading to unnecessary amputations and even death.

Developed by Dr Daniel West Samways (1857-1931) at Guy's Hospital in 1892, the tourniquet consisted of a rubber tube with two fasteners of Samway's design. One was in the shape of an anchor and the other in the shape of a grapnel. Only one was required to hold the tournqiuet in place. However, there was no way of easily regulating the pressure. The pressure is also through the narrow tube so there is a potential fordamage to the nerves and arteries underneath.

Eye shades were used to protect the eyes after an injury from shrapnel or bullets or from the effects of mustard gas. Green on one side, and a pink flesh colour on the other, these are reversible. The pink flesh colour was to make them less obvious for wearers who were Caucasian but no consideration was given to service personnel from Commonwealth or countries under British Empire rule. It is possible the green colour was thought to be less irritating to the eye.

Eye shades were used to protect the eyes after an injury from shrapnel or bullets or from the effects of mustard gas. Green on one side, and a pink flesh colour on the other, these are reversible. The pink flesh colour was to make them less obvious for wearers who were Caucasian but no consideration was given to service personnel from Commonwealth or countries under British Empire rule. It is possible the green colour was thought to be less irritating to the eye.

Eye baths are a way of applying a liquid medicine or a simple wash to a sensitive part of the body. Once the ceramic bowl was filled with a liquid, the patient would place the bath over one eye, tilt the head back and open and close their eye repeatedly in the liquid. The bowl is curved to fit the socket of the eye and avoid spillage. Such treatment may have been needed for an infection or to remove an irritation.

Eye baths are a way of applying a liquid medicine or a simple wash to a sensitive part of the body. Once the ceramic bowl was filled with a liquid, the patient would place the bath over one eye, tilt the head back and open and close their eye repeatedly in the liquid. The bowl is curved to fit the socket of the eye and avoid spillage. Such treatment may have been needed for an infection or to remove an irritation.

Eye baths are a way of applying a liquid medicine or a simple wash to a sensitive part of the body. Once the ceramic bowl was filled with a liquid, the patient would place the bath over one eye, tilt the head back and open and close their eye repeatedly in the liquid. The bowl is curved to fit the socket of the eye and avoid spillage. Such treatment may have been needed for an infection or to remove an irritation.

Prior to any operation, the surgical team thoroughly clean their hands, including scrubbing under the nails with brushes. By the end of the First World War, surgeons wore sterile rubber or latex gloves to prevent infection during the operation. These are both examples of aseptic surgery.

Each instrument had its place within a field surgical kit, so it could be easily stored and moved. Rectangular tin trays could also act as holders for instruments during operations.

Each instrument had its place within a field surgical kit, so it could be easily stored and moved. Rectangular tin trays could also act as holders for instruments during operations.

An aspirator is used to remove fluid or gas by suction from the body. This piece is just one part of the set which includes a syringe or collection bottle, and needles. It was developed in 1869 by Pierre Carl Édouard Potain (1825-1901), a French doctor who specialised in diagnosing and treating the heart and lungs. Surgical textbooks of the 1970s, were still giving instruction on its use.

An aspirator is used to remove fluid or gas by suction from the body. This piece is just one part of the set which includes a syringe or collection bottle, and tubing. The metal needle or cannula would be placed into the body and connected to the syringe.

This type of aspirator was developed in 1869 by Pierre Carl Édouard Potain (1825-1901), a French doctor who specialised in diagnosing and treating the heart and lungs. Surgical textbooks of the 1970s, were still giving instruction on its use.

An aspirator is used to remove fluid or gas by suction from the body. This piece is just one part of the set which includes a syringe or collection bottle, and needles. It was developed in 1869 by Pierre Carl Édouard Potain (1825-1901), a French doctor who specialised in diagnosing and treating the heart and lungs. Surgical textbooks of the 1970s, were still giving instruction on its use.

An aspirator is used to remove fluid or gas by suction from the body. This piece is just one part of the set which includes a syringe or collection bottle, and tubing. The metal needle or cannula would be placed into the body and connected to the syringe. The tap controls the flow of fluid.

This type of aspirator was developed in 1869 by Pierre Carl Édouard Potain (1825-1901), a French doctor who specialised in diagnosing and treating the heart and lungs. Surgical textbooks of the 1970s, were still giving instruction on its use.

An aspirator is used to remove fluid or gas by suction from the body. This piece is just one part of the set which includes a syringe or collection bottle, and tubing. The metal needle or cannula would be placed into the body and connected to the syringe.

This type of aspirator was developed in 1869 by Pierre Carl Édouard Potain (1825-1901), a French doctor who specialised in diagnosing and treating the heart and lungs. Surgical textbooks of the 1970s, were still giving instruction on its use.

An aspirator is used to remove fluid or gas by suction from the body. This piece is just one part of the set which includes a syringe or collection bottle, and tubing. The metal needle or cannula would be placed into the body and connected to the syringe.

This type of aspirator was developed in 1869 by Pierre Carl Édouard Potain (1825-1901), a French doctor who specialised in diagnosing and treating the heart and lungs. Surgical textbooks of the 1970s, were still giving instruction on its use.

An aspirator is used to remove fluid or gas by suction from the body. This piece is just one part of the set which includes a syringe or collection bottle, and tubing. The metal needle or cannula would be placed into the body and connected to the syringe.

This type of aspirator was developed in 1869 by Pierre Carl Édouard Potain (1825-1901), a French doctor who specialised in diagnosing and treating the heart and lungs. Surgical textbooks of the 1970s, were still giving instruction on its use.

An aspirator is used to remove fluid or gas by suction from the body. This piece is just one part of the set which includes a syringe or collection bottle, and tubing. The metal needle or cannula would be placed into the body and connected to the syringe.

This type of aspirator was developed in 1869 by Pierre Carl Édouard Potain (1825-1901), a French doctor who specialised in diagnosing and treating the heart and lungs. Surgical textbooks of the 1970s, were still giving instruction on its use.

An aspirator is used to remove fluid or gas by suction from the body. This piece is just one part of the set which includes a syringe or collection bottle, and tubing. The metal needle or cannula would be placed into the body and connected to the syringe.

This type of aspirator was developed in 1869 by Pierre Carl Édouard Potain (1825-1901), a French doctor who specialised in diagnosing and treating the heart and lungs. Surgical textbooks of the 1970s, were still giving instruction on its use.

An aspirator is used to remove fluid or gas by suction from the body. This piece is just one part of the set which includes a syringe or collection bottle, and tubing. The metal needle or cannula would be placed into the body and connected to the syringe.

This type of aspirator was developed in 1869 by Pierre Carl Édouard Potain (1825-1901), a French doctor who specialised in diagnosing and treating the heart and lungs. Surgical textbooks of the 1970s, were still giving instruction on its use.

Lion forceps are used to hold bones open during realignment or repairing fractures. They are possibly called lion forceps due to the and shape of the forceps. Helped by surgical instrument makers, surgeons developed their own tools, often naming them after themselves. William Fergusson (1808-1877) was a Scottish surgeon, known for his surgical speed and developed these tools to give a firm old on the bone with two sets of teeth. Speed was essential in a time before anaesthesia to ensure patients survived the operation. As an early adopter of anaesthetics, he developed a range of operations for harelips, and amputations. Serving Queen Victoria and her family between 1847 and 1877.

Stethoscopes are used to listen to the inside of the body. Breathing and heart beats can be listened to and interpreted to understand the inner workings of a person's body and give clues on what treatments to use.

Dark purple in colour, potassium permanganate has disinfecting and astringent qualities, meaning it can be used to dry the skin, and contract tissues, reducing swelling. It is still used as a wet dressing for wounds on the skin’s surface that are blistered or have lots of pus. It is diluted and only used on the surface of the skin.

Liquid chloroform was used as an anaesthetic from the late 1840s until the 1950s. The liquid would be dropped onto a cloth face mask and the vapours inhaled by the patient. Devices to administer chloroform, giving control over the concentration of the anaesthetic agent and to use chloroform in combination with other gases and liquids such as ether were developed from the 1870s onwards. During the First World War, anaesthetics became recognised as a speciality. Rather than a general approach, anaesthetics became tailored to each patient.

Liquid chloroform was used as an anaesthetic from the late 1840s until the 1950s. The liquid would be dropped onto a cloth face mask and the vapours inhaled by the patient. Devices to administer chloroform, giving control over the concentration of the anaesthetic agent and to use chloroform in combination with other gases and liquids such as ether were developed from the 1870s onwards. During the First World War, anaesthetics became recognised as a speciality. Rather than a general approach, anaesthetics became tailored to each patient.

Liquid chloroform was used as an anaesthetic from the late 1840s until the 1950s. The liquid would be dropped onto a cloth face mask and the vapours inhaled by the patient. Devices to administer chloroform, giving control over the concentration of the anaesthetic agent and to use chloroform in combination with other gases and liquids such as ether were developed from the 1870s onwards. During the First World War, anaesthetics became recognised as a speciality. Rather than a general approach, anaesthetics became tailored to each patient.

Used to suture wounds and during operations, catgut was made from the intestines of sheep. There are numerous theories as to reasoning for the catgut name, including being taken from a stringed musical instrument called a kit, where similar materials were used. Sterilised by heat or chemicals before being used to prevent infection, catgut stitches were eventually absorbed by the body, meaning additional operations were not required. By the 1940s, catgut was replaced by synthetic fibres.

Used to suture wounds and during operations, silk could not be absorbed by the body, meaning additional operations were required. By treating with heat or chemicals, the silk was sterilied to prevent infection being introduced into a person's body. By the 1940s, silk was replaced by synthetic fibres.

Locking a surgical instrument set or field pannier is important to prevent items going missing during transport between sites and for security.

Liquid chloroform was used as an anaesthetic from the late 1840s until the 1950s. The liquid would be dropped onto a cloth face mask and the vapours inhaled by the patient. Devices to administer chloroform, giving control over the concentration of the anaesthetic agent and to use chloroform in combination with other gases and liquids such as ether were developed from the 1870s onwards. During the First World War, anaesthetics became recognised as a speciality. Rather than a general approach, anaesthetics became tailored to each patient.

Developed in 1884, saline infusion replaced milk as a blood substitute. Huge blood loss can lead to shock – where the hear cannot pump enough blood to the body. Without blood, many of the body’s organs shut down. However, during the First World War, the first blood banks were created by Oswald Hope Robertson. This was thanks to a citrate-glucose solution which prevented blood clotting, developed by Francis Rous and J R Turner in 1916.