Carton of green silkworm gut ligature
- Made:
- Unattributed place
Carton of 100 strands of green 'The Saville silkworm gut ligature', supplied by R. Whitelaw (Abdn.) Ltd., Scotland, probably 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 green 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:
- A616705
- Materials:
- ligature, silkworm gut and carton, paper
- Measurements:
-
overall (carton closed): 21.5 mm 78.5 mm,
- type:
- sutures
- credit:
- Loan, Wellcome Trust
