Symond's Forehead Mirror

Sigmoidal Swab

Litmus Paper

Cased Thermometer

Early 20th century glass thermometer containing mercury in base chamber. Has a metal case with a screw fitting to hold instrument in place, but the lid is missing.

An item contained within midwife Ethel Williams' Midwifery case. Ethel trained at Guy's Hospital between 1906 and 1910, and items within the case were used at home births. The case and contents were included in the NHS 50 exhibition shown in 1998. Midwifery use for the bath, baby's food and sterilising milk.

Loaned By: Mr Edward Williams

(1990:042)

Cystoscope

Late 19th Century wooden box containing three instruments. Rubber hose with metal tip wire connects to electrical power. Small metal box with spare parts. Made by Millikin & Lawley Cystoscope Millikin & Lawley, 161 Strand , London

It has three tubes: 1. Outside tube inserted into the bladder (via the urethra) and the bladder filled with water (pumped in via the tap on the tube). 2. Tube for viewing with telescope at one end and connected to electrical light source. Third tube is for passing various instruments along which can then be manipulated remotely. Box contains two cystoscopes. Similar instruments were still used in the 1960s-70s. Patients would be given a local or general anaesthetic.

(1990:078)

Speculum

Large Metal Vaginal Speculum made by Down Bros, London. Tarnished metal-plated vaginal speculum with fluted end.

Donated By: Monica Britton Medical History Collection

(2005:080MB)

Speculum

Narrow Metal Vaginal Speculum. Light metal speculum with fluted end with lip. Probably nickel-plated.

Donated By: Monica Britton Medical History Collection

(2005:081MB)

Forehead Mirror

c.1870 Symond's Forehead Mirror. Round mirror with spyhole, mounted with a spectacle attachment.

Used to focus light to allow doctor to examine patient. Used as an Ophthalmoscope for eyes or / Laryngescope,for the throat.

Donated By: Royal College of Obstetricians

(1993:002)

Sigmoidoscope

Adult Sigmoidoscope. Hollow brass tube with a sliding internal rod with rounded heavy end.

The instrument was inserted with the inner rod with rounded end section in place. When the rod was withdrawn, the hollow tube allowed inspection of the sigmoid colon, an s-shaped part of colon and rectum. Named after the 'sigma' (in English 'S') in reference to the sigmoid colon's curved shape.

Donated By: Royal College of Obstetricians

(1993:008)

Sigmoidal Swab

Sigmoidal Swab (Adult). Brass rod with three-headed prong at one end and ring at other.

The instrument would hold a cotton swab and be inserted into the body via a hollow sigmoidoscope tube (1993:008). The cotton would be used to take a swab sample of the sigmoid colon, which is the s-shaped part of colon and rectum, named after the 'sigma' (in English 'S') in reference to the sigmoid colon's curved shape.

Donated By: Royal College of Obstetricians

(1993:010)

Litmus Paper

Early 20th century. Two Booklets of Litmus Paper

Litmus paper is commonly used for testing urine. Litmus goes red in an acid solution. An item contained within midwife Ethel Williams' Midwifery case. Ethel trained at Guy's Hospital between 1906 and 1910, and items within the case were used at home births. The case and contents were included in the NHS 50 exhibition shown in 1998.

Loaned By: Mr Edward Williams

(1990:049)

Thermometer

Early 20th century Thermometer for use in diabetes. Enclosed clear glass graded tube marked 0-60. End has spherical container holding mercury.

Marked for diabetes. Contained within midwife Ethel Williams' Midwifery case. Ethel trained at Guy's Hospital between 1906 and 1910, and items within the case were used at home births.

Loaned By: Mr Edward Williams

(1990:044)

Stethoscope

Wooden Monaural Stethoscope, c. 1905. Fine varnished hollow pine tube which flares out at the base into a hearing dome.

A monaural stethoscope provided a doctor with sound amplification to one ear only (over binaural which is to both ears). Monaural wooden stethoscopes usually had a hole drilled across the domed end placed on the patient's chest. The vertical listening tube could be removed from the base and placed in the hole to become more easily carried in the Doctor's bag.

(1996:003)

Bougies

Loose set of 10 probes made by Allen & Hanbury, England. Graduated sizes for measuring dilation, graded from No. 3 - No18

(1998:027)

Blood Testing Unit

The Lovibond Comparator for Blood Testing made by The Colour Laboratory, Milford, Salisbury, England, c. 1940.

Inscription cast on the back of the box: "THE LOVIBOND COMPARATOR // MANUFACTURERS // THE TINTOMETER Ltd // THE COLOUR LABORATORY MADE IN ENGLAND // MILFORD SALISBURY ENG // USE B.D.M. INDICATOR ". A black box unit with viewer used to colour match blood samples. This one has 'B' marking and is used to test blood sugar levels. The unit is used in biochemistry. Blood specimen or bile and urine are matched to the colour wheel. These went out of use in the late 1940s, 50s. ( Prof. H. Ellis)

Loaned By: Penfold collection

(1999:038P)

Tintometer

Tintometer Blood Sugar Testing Unit made by The Colour Laboratory, Milford, Salisbury, England. Small black, old plastic box unit inside cardboard box with printed label: "THE LOVIBOND COMPARATOR // MANUFACTURERS // THE TINTOMETER Ltd // THE COLOUR LABORATORY MADE IN ENGLAND // MILFORD SALISBURY ENG // USE B.D.M.INDICATOR". Made c. 1940.

The unit is "used in biochemistry. Blood specimen or bile and urine match to colour wheel" and went out of use in the 40s 50s. (Prof. Harold Ellis 2000).

Loaned By: Penfold collection

(1999:039P)

Speculum

Silver and Ebony Speculum made by G.Mawson & Thompson [silver sheath]. Two piece, black ebony rod in silver [or silver plate] sheath with split. This is part of a pair, with the larger or adult version, 1999:005P. Made c. 1870s.

Prof. Harold Ellis has said (2000) it is inserted whole, and the ebony rod then removed to examine anus/vagina etc.

Loaned By: Penfold collection

(1999:004P)

Speculum

Silver and Ebony Speculum unmarked, likely to be G. Mawson &Thompson (see 1990:004P). Two pieces, tapered black ebony rod with knob handle inserts into silver [or platesilver] sheath with split opening along length. Oblique point. Made c. 1870s.

Prof. Harold Ellis has said (2000) it is inserted whole, and the ebony rod then removed to examine anus/vagina etc.

Loaned By: Penfold Collection

(1999:005P)

Stethoscope

Convertable Wood and Ivory Monaural Stethoscope (Extending), c. 1870.

Red coloured hollow wooden tube with one flared end. Each end has ivory fittings. Flared end has additional disc.

Instrument is in three parts: 1) is wooden tube, like ordinary monaural stethoscope 2) flared end. Fits tube with a smaller flared end. 3) Threaded ivory cover that fits onto the end of (2) to close the instrument. Centred on the outside is an additional optional piece and is threaded.

Donated By: Caroline Woodley & Mrs Diana Dyke

(2002:022H)

Test Glasses

Ophthalmic Test Glasses made by T.C & E.C. Jack, Edinburgh.

Hinged metal plate glasses which open out with the central piece forming a base stand. When the catch is released, the glasses stand open for use.

Donated By: Caroline Woodley & Mrs Diana Dyke

(2002:025H)

Thermometer

Glass thermometer for diabetes, containing mercury in base chamber and packaged in a green cardboard tube (open one end).

Donated By: Caroline Woodley & Diana Dyke

(2002:031H)

Head Lamp

Electrical Medical Examination Headlamp, 1940s.

Circular metal band, like loose spring (fits around head) with corded electrical wire with cylindrical plug. Black tubular extension with a rounded glass end is a torch.

Donated By: Caroline Woodley & Diana Dyke

(2002:032H)

Blood Pressure Gauge

Blood Pressure Gauge made by Hawksley & Sons, 357 Oxford Street London.

Khaki colour cloth armband, with orange rubber tube sticking out. Gold colour metal gauge like a stop watch, marked from 0-300, broken orange tubing and a chrome/epns object.

Donated By: Caroline Woodley & Mrs Diana Dyke

(2002:050H)

Speculi In Box

2 speculi (one curved glass, one small zinc), 3 probes (2 probably nasal), spoon and glass phial in red velvet-lined box made by Krohne & Seseman, London & Down Bros. London, c. 1880s.

Donated By: Caroline Woodley & Diana Dyke

(2002:051H(a-d))

Wooden Thermometer

Dr. Forbes' Thermometer, early 20th century.

Glass thermometer in wooden casing, labelled to "Dr. Forbes Specifications." Handle at top with string through. Floats upright in the bath.

Donated By: Anonymous gift.

(2001:037)

Sphygmamometer

"Basch's Sphygmamometer" in box. Black ovate box containing clock-type gauge of silver metal - sphygmamometer. Dial marked from 0-25 in 2's.

Donated By: Caroline Woodley & Diana Dyke

(2002:082H)

Clamp & Nozzles

Retort Clamp, Irrigation & Ear speculum nozzles, 1940s.

(a) All-metal unit of two adjustable square end plates. sprung screw joins plates. (b) Metal tube with bulb unit and square key. (c) Long metal tube: rounded end and threaded section.

Donated By: Caroline Woodley / Diana Dyke, daughters of Dr.Harrison.

(2002:064H(a-c) )

Speculum Heads

Speculum Torch Head & three speculum nozzles, 1950s. (a)-(b) Wappler E.C. Company, New York. (d) Down Bros. London

Donated By: Caroline Woodley & Diana Dyke. Also ref. Harrison.

2002:067H(a-d)

Ophthalmic Gauge

Portable Ophthalmic Gauge with Ivory Handle in Leather-bound Red Velvet Case with Red Satin-Lined Lid, c. 1885.

Two mirrors are set on flat black metal plate; smaller one is set at an angle. Ivory handle lays beside plate in box or screws onto thread that extends outside right side of box. Collapsible instrument (two pieces).

Donated By: Caroline Woodley & Diana Dyke; Also ref.Harrison.

(2002:070H)

Speculum

Glass Vaginal Speculum. Large glass speculum with one wide fluted end and one diagonally cut off

Donated By: Monica Britton Medical History Collection

(2005:079MB)