Archives

SPINAL CURVATURE DEMONSTRATED — ROTATION ACCOMPANYING LATERAL CURVATURE

SPINAL CURVATURE DEMONSTRATED — ROTATION ACCOMPANYING LATERAL CURVATURE, probably American, late 19th century. This remarkable working anatomical “model” is constructed of human vertebrae, spring-supported, mounted in a fine columnar wood stand and measuring 20″ (51 cm) overall. Presentation plaques record its donation to a New York medical institution by a Dr. A.B. Judson, and its demonstration of “The Cause of Rotation in Lateral Curvature of the Spine, first seen by Andrew Dods, M.D., London, 1824.” Eighteen vertebrae are supported Read More...

DR. JOHN BUTLER’S ELECTRO-MASSAGER

DR. JOHN BUTLER’S ELECTRO-MASSAGER, American, c. 1885, stamped “Pat¹d. Feb 1, 81.” Measuring 8-5/8″ (22 cm) in overall length, this hand powered device combines physical massage with the benefits of electro-therapy. Constructed of plated brass and iron, it has a chamois-covered cylindrical massage roller which drives, through approximately 23:1 gearing, an electromagnet’s double coil against a permanent magnet. The handle, coated in hard rubber, is in fact the large permanent magnet. The roller, when moistened, is one electrode in Read More...

EARLY AMERICAN ORTHOPEDIC OUTFIT FOR REDUCING DISLOCATIONS AND FRACTURES

EARLY AMERICAN ORTHOPEDIC OUTFIT FOR REDUCING DISLOCATIONS AND FRACTURES, c. 1845, signed “Manufactured by H. & G. Kellogg, Derby, Conn.” Contained in the 15″ (38 cm) wide walnut carrying case is a complete traction outfit, with folding doubly-expandable wood splint, various supports and clamps in polished steel some with chamois leather bindings, canvas straps, and the fine 13-3/4″ long (minimum) ratcheting mechanism in lacquered brass and steel. It is all of high quality craftsmanship and in fine condition throughout. Patented Read More...

MANUAL BREAST PUMP

MANUAL BREAST PUMP, American or English, c. second quarter 20th century, measuring 5-3/4″ (15 cm) overall. The hand-blown glass body has a flared conical shape, with bulbous reservoir to one side, and is fitted with a now-quite-hard rubber bulb. Designed expressly to stimulate milk production, and to collect breast milk for bottle feeding, the pump is in fine condition. Read More...

FOWLER’S CURVED URETHRAL SOUNDS

FOWLER’S CURVED URETHRAL SOUNDS, American, c. 1885, signed on the case label “C.E. Riker, 1227 Broadway, N.Y.” This is a complete set of six double-ended finely-polished metal sounds in graduated sizes, all contained in the original 12-3/8″ (31 cm) long leather bound wood case. Condition is very fine, the case exterior a bit rough. An identical set is listed in a late 19th century Sharp and Smith catalogue, as “Dr. Fowler’s set of sounds” having “the regular Van Buren curve Read More...

GROSS’ BULLET FORCEPS

GROSS’ BULLET FORCEPS, American, late 19th century, signed “Tiemann & Co.,” 9-3/8″ (24 cm) long, of polished steel. These slim forceps terminate in a sharply toothed open cup and a toothed finger for securely gripping a lead ball (whether round or conical), or a steel covered bullet. But when closed, they present a blunt end, for delicate probing. Condition is very fine noting minor rust spotting. Dr. Samuel Gross was a prolific inventor, represented by no less than 17 Read More...

CHEEK RETRACTOR

  CHEEK RETRACTOR, American, c. 1900, bearing the “SWS” logo of the S.S. White Dental Mfg. Co. of Philadelphia. Measuring 5-1/2″ (14 cm) overall, this dental device has a very smoothly recurved pulling surface, and a lovely grained turned wood handle. Unusual, and in excellent condition.  Read More...

IMPORTANT GRIFFITH CLUB PRESENTATION OUTFIT

IMPORTANT GRIFFITH CLUB PRESENTATION OUTFIT, American, c.1881, signed on the rotator/base with a fine presentation “With Regards of the Inventor, to Hon. Lewis Lawrence, Utica, N.Y”.; on the main tube “Griffith Club Microscope;” and on the objective “E. Gundlach.” The outfit stows compactly in its 7-3/4″ x 6″ x 3-1/2″ (20 x 15 x 9 cm) velvet lined wood case. Extending to a maximum height of 15-1/2″ (39 cm) when assembled, the microscope is made of golden lacquered brass Read More...

PERPETUAL CALENDAR MADE FOR THE COLUMBIAN EXHIBITION

PERPETUAL CALENDAR MADE FOR THE COLUMBIAN EXHIBITION, American, 1892, signed “Perpetual Calendar, Patd. 1891 & 1892 by W.W. Kitchen.” Made of aluminum, 1-3/16″ (3 cm) in diameter, the disk bears on one side a raised profile of Christopher Columbus, and on the other a calendar marking every seventh day of each month. At the center is inset a brass volvelle with the days of the week. Setting this volvelle once per year allows direct readout of the day of Read More...

Burwell’s Boston Paragon Lung Protector Vest

  What could be a more apt in the time of Covid19 than a lung protector? G. Burwell was described in an 1883 Boston commercial directory as a “pharmaceutical chemist and agent for the sale of drugs, chemicals,etc.” He advertised his ” Boston Paragon Lung Protector Vest ” in the November 1878 issue of Druggists Circular (see link that follows)and claimed that it was  “the perfect safeguard against coughs, colds and chest affections[sic] ever invented.” The exterior is chamois and Read More...

Early American cased fleam

A good example, in the original case and marked Snowdon Phila so I guess this predates the 1824 partnership with Wiegand.  private collection  Read More...

HUMAN REPRODUCTION IN PLASTER: SET OF ANATOMICAL MODELS

HUMAN REPRODUCTION IN PLASTER:  SET OF ANATOMICAL MODELS, American, c. 1930, attributable to the renowned Dr. Fortunato.  The largest model measures 14-1/2” x 9-1/2” (37 x 24 cm), the smallest 8” x 8” (20 x 20 cm); all are approximately 3” thick.  They present, in partial cross section: –the male reproductive system; –the female pelvic area as partial écorché; –the female reproductive system; –a pregnant female with well-developed fetus.         Probably designed for medical school instruction, these are graphic two / Read More...