Dr. Hirtz of the French Roentgenological Service designed the Hirtz compass. It is a mechanical compass that was designed during WW1 to be used during operations as a surgical guide to better utilizing information acquired by x-rays in location shrapnel. The purpose of the compass was intended to be used in connection with photographic work whereby a permanent record could be made for the later setting of the compass, provided the identifying skin marks were not obliterated. The essential feature of the Hirtz compass is the possibility of adjustment of the movable legs that support the instrument so when resting on fixed marks on the body of the patient the foreign body will be at the center of the sphere a meridian arc of which is carried by the compass.
The compass is enclosed in a 17 inch x 13 inch by 3 1/2-inch wooden box covered with oilcloth. It has two brass hinges and two brass latches. On the top we find Gold lettering in French " Establissements Gaiffe / Compas de Mr Le Medicin Principal Hirtz / pour la Recherche des projectiles". The translation, from the French is: " Establissement Gaiffe (the name of the manufacturer) has provided these calipers belonging to the Chief Medical Officer Hirtz for the locating of projectiles. The inside is covered in tan leather and has compartments for the disassembled compass. The compass is made from brass and steel. It appears that only one small piece may be missing that is identical to the two that are there so it could be reproduced.
Enclosed with the compass is a copy of some pages from MEDICAL WAR MANUAL No 7 which explains how to use it and also has line drawings and photographs of it being used in surgery.
(30-1465) $1,500.00
Presented here is a maker-marked, mid-to late 19th century surgeon's pocket medical field case replete with a number of assorted medical instruments. Some of the tools are not original to the case. Usually carried in a field surgeon's saddlebags, this marker-marked "G. TIEMANN & CO. / NEW YORK" leather veneer-wrapped, pasteboard case measures 10" long x 6" wide x 1" high. Kit has a small, unmarked brass lock plate device on the front cover. Inside case is lined with red (faded) pressed paper flaps in good condition with one of the flaps completely separated from the main body. The kit folds open to display three distinct compartments lined in dark maroon velvet cloth with horizontal leather bands sewn in that hold the instruments. The compartments open to reveal thirteen various surgical cutting and probing instruments. Included in this kit are tortoise-shell folding scalpels, stitching tools and delicate fine probes. All instruments are in good condition. Some of the probes suffer from light to moderate surface rusting. This piece of medical memorabilia, once part of the Dr. Edward Lauderdale Collection, would make a superb addition to any 18th century hospital or doctor's display.
(30-1074) $950.00
Presented here is a very rare, Civil War medical specimen known as the Lambert Patent tourniquet. In very good condition, this surviving field tourniquet device was developed and patented in January 1862 by Dr. Thomas S. Lambert of Peekskill, New York. Device consists of a faded, 10¼" long x 1¼" wide piece of maroon, herringbone twill cloth tourniquet strap that has been shortened or cut down from its original longer length. The remaining 11" of the strap is folded up and rests in the tin case. Strap is secured to two, concave-shaped, rectangular metal pads equipped with fold-down metal loops used to lock in the strap. The metal pads were used to apply pressure to the affected limb when secured in place with the strap. The cloth fabric of the tourniquet is in good overall condition except for the mild fading of the red dye. Both metal pads are painted with original, dark forest-green colored paint. One of the pads is stamped with the maker mark of "LAMBERT'S PATENT / JAN 7, 1862." An oval-shaped, two-piece tin case houses the tourniquet and is coated with the same green colored paint as the pads. Case exhibits heavy to moderate scratching, scuffing and depressions to its surface. Exterior of the case retains 50-70% of its painted finish while the case inside shows approximately 95% of the original, shiny bright finish. The tourniquet set also includes the original paper directions of use for the device, including the wartime testimonials and pictorial diagrams from medical doctors that used the device. The papers are clean and original but suffer heavily from being stuffed into the case and are now torn, frayed and mostly in shreds. A fine but grim Civil War medical specimen that would display well in any collection.
(M18927) $995.00
Each meas. 1.5" dia. x 1.5" h. Heavy soldered seams & probably predate the bag by at least 20 years. Two larger cups 1.75"H & 2" H. Also w/bag is a small "sterno" type tin cup w/flammable material still inside; used to heat cups which were paced over incisions made by bleeder. Bag measures 11"x7"x6". Handle turns; has two old repairs. Brass hinged closure at top.
(M12066) Originally $450.00
A pair of wooden, branded crutches with leather cushioned tops and tapered wooden hand grips. The feet are brass with leather pads and have a reinforcing brass band 6" up from the feet (one of the crutches is missing the band and has a thick copper ring replacement.) The feet are stamped with a partially legible patent date (Feb. or Sept. 21, 1862) and partially visibly address with "M.A.S.S." plainly visible on both crutches. The top cushions are in good condition showing overall light flaking with some damage to the underside of both arm pads. All in all, an interesting medical collectible in very good condition.
(154-447) ORIGINALLY $495.00 REDUCED TO $450.00
The fleam was used to bleed humans and animals. This one is a brass case with two steel blades at right angle to the handle. No maker's name is present.
(558-454) $75.00
Original wood container, cylindrical w/original gold paint & applied label. Prepared by Novelty Plaster Works, Lowell, Mass. Label with detailed instructions. Patent date Feb. 3, 1863. Measures 12 3/4" x 2". Label stained but complete. No plaster inside.
(M12459) $275.00
Offered is a Civil War period stethoscope that was part of the Dr. John Cooper grouping. It consists of two separate pieces of light colored wood. The stem and chest piece are made from one piece, and the 2 ½ inch diameter ear piece is another. When the two are joined it measures 7 ¼ inches in height. The monaural stethoscope was phased out in the 1860's by the binaural stethoscope.
(552-99) $150.00
4 1/2" tall. 1840-1860. Original label with just minor staining & paper loss. Cork stopper.
(14-1266) $69.00
Good clear pontiled apothecary bottle. 7" tall including stopper.
(14-1246) $21.00
Good, clear pontiled bottle which is 8 1/2" tall including stopper.
(14-1258) $28.00
Pontiled general purpose medical/etc. bottle.
(14-1134) $17.00
Civil War era pontiled bottle, "Opodildoc". 4 7/8" with cork.
(14-1144) $55.00
Early free blown medicine bottle with label that reads in part "Red hea____" Meas. 6" length, 1 1/8" diameter.
(14-1208) $45.00
8" tall. Nice condition, light green bottle. "SWAIM'S PANACEA PHILADA".
(14-1254) $60.00
Stands 7 1/2" tall, with smooth base. 'SCHENK'S PULMONIC SYRUP'. Has a 3/8" x 1/2" area of damage as can be seen in photo at left.
(14-1257) $40.00
Measures 4 3/4" x 7 7/8" on 9" x 11 1/2" mount. Light age yellowing, light scattered foxing. Minor chipping along right edge. Slight vertical creasing near upper left edge of mount with small tear measuring 1/4"; small 1/4" to mount along right edge.
The photo is by Ward, printed by Am. Photo-Relief Printing co., Phila. Part II, Vol II., Chap. IX. PLATE XLVIII. INVOLUCRA OF BONES OF THE FOREARM AND SEQUESTRUM FROM HUMERUS. Nos. 3686 and 3727. SURGICAL SECTION.
(434-581) ORIGINALLY $35.00 REDUCED TO $20.00
Measures 7 3/4" x 11 1/2". Light soiling to upper & lower edges.
This is a lithograph by J. Bien from photograph by Ward. Part II, Vol II, Plate VII,, Opp. page 727. VESICAL CALCULI FORMED UPON PROJECTILES. Fig. 1. Med. Dir. Dougherty's Case (Spec. 5520), Fig.2 Surg. J.F. Randolph's Case (Spec. 88), Fig. 3 Dr. G.M.McGills Case (Spec. 4394), Fig. 4 Prof. F.T. Miles's Case (Spec. 5019), Fig. 5 Dr. Cabot's Case, Fig. 6 Prof. H.McGuire's Case (Spec. 6203), Fig. 7 Dr. W.H. Forwood's Case (Spec. 5931).
(434-582) ORIGINALLY $35.00 REDUCED TO $20.00
Measures 8 7/8" x 11 1/2". Light scattered soiling; area of light staining at lower right edge.
This is a chromolithograph by T. Sinclair & Son; Ed. Stauch pinxt. Part II Vol II. Op. page 736. PLATE XXII. 1, OSTEOMYELITIS OF HUMEROUS. 2, LIGATION OF POPLITEAL.
(434-574) ORIGINALLY $35.00 REDUCED TO $20.00