Accession No
2483
Brief Description
tonsil guillotine, by Baker, English, circa 1880
Origin
England; London
Maker
Baker
Class
medical
Earliest Date
1880
Latest Date
1880
Inscription Date
Material
metal (steel); wood (ebony)
Dimensions
length 225mm; breadth 135mm; thickness 29mm
Special Collection
Provenance
Inscription
‘Baker LONDON’ (blade)
Description Notes
Steel with ebony handle. Single blade terminating in cusp which is pulled backwards to withdraw the blade. Held on shaft by screw and plate
References
Events
Description
The tonsil guillotine was a medical device used to remove a person's tonsils, a procedure called a tonsillectomy. Removing the tonsils with a guillotine was the standard treatment for recurring throat infections in the late 19th Century. The instrument was put into the patient's mouth with the infected tonsils in the open part of the frame and the tonsil was severed as the blade was released.
05/05/2020
Created by: Morgan Bell on 05/05/2020
FM:40879
Images (Click to view full size):
