Post mortem surgical instrument set, 1783-1844.

Made:
1783-1844; 1803-1847; 1865-1875 in London

Post mortem set, cased, by Laundy, London, England, 1783-1844

This set is in a wooden case and consists of 8 instruments for performing post mortems. The instruments are: a blow pipe; a pair of spring forceps; three scalpels; a knife; a saw; and a chisel. Many of the instruments have ivory handles and Laundy, in England, manufactured most of them. W. Smith produced the scalpels and Millikin manufactured the knife, both in England.

Details

Category:
Anatomy & Pathology
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A647254
Materials:
case, brass, case, wood and case, velvet, lined
Measurements:
case: length 225 mm
case: width 86 mm
case: height 35 mm
type:
blowpipes, chisels, knives, saws, scalpels and post mortem sets

Parts

Metal Blow Pipe

Metal Blow Pipe

Metal blow pipe, tapering from diameter at top ring of 7 mm to 1 mm at lowest, by Laundy, London, England, 1794-1844

Measurements:
overall: 170 mm 7 mm, .005kg
Materials:
metal
Object Number:
A647254 Pt1
type:
blow pipe
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Steel Spring Forceps

Steel Spring Forceps

Steel spring forceps, unsigned, United Kingdom, 1794-1844. Used in post mortem set.

Measurements:
overall: 12 mm x 150 mm x 25 mm, .025kg
Materials:
steel
Object Number:
A647254 Pt2
type:
forceps
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Three scalpels with ivory handles

Three scalpels with ivory handles

Three scalpels with ivory handles, by William Smith, London, English, 1803-1847

Measurements:
overall: 154 mm x 10 mm, .025kg
Materials:
steel (metal) and ivory
Object Number:
A647254 Pt3
type:
scalpel and handle
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Knife with Ivory Handle by Millikin, 1865-72

Knife with Ivory Handle by Millikin, 1865-72

Knife with ivory handle, by John Millikin, Southwark Street, London, England, 1865-1872.

Measurements:
overall: 5 mm x 160 mm x 12 mm, .01kg
Materials:
steel (metal) and ivory
Object Number:
A647254 Pt4
type:
knife
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Post-mortem chisel

Post-mortem chisel

Post mortem chisel which fits into handle of saw, by Laundy of London, England, 1801-1850

Measurements:
overall: 15 mm x 85 mm x 15 mm, .03kg
Materials:
brass (copper, zinc alloy) and steel
Object Number:
A647254 Pt6
type:
chisel
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum