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Medical instruments Book III, Chapter 11, Section 1b
Levitor
Image from proof plate
XX. He beareth in chief a Levitor with an Handle
and in base a Volsella, or Puller. These are two
Chirurgicall Instruments and of great use.
The Levitor, it is used to take up depressed Skulls, or
to raise the Skull impressed. Imitateing Coopers, who
are wont to reduce the boards of their wine vessels that
are crushed in, with the like Instrument: it is called in
Latine Elevator, or Elevatorium.
Tweezers
Image from proof plate
The Volsella, or Puller, or Tweezers, it is an Instrument for manuall operation; it hath double teeth at
the end of it, by which they take forth a peece of a bone
which is corrupt and moueable; also Darts, Bullets, and
the fragments of them: and all tents and hairs, with all
other extraneous things of that kind, which are found in
wounds: are by the toothed part of this Instrument taken
forth. By this also women pull out hairs by the roots in
their eye-brows, and from other parts of the body, if
superfluous. The broader end of this will serve to spread
Plasters on linnen cloth, or leather, for want of a Spatula. see numb 28 & chap 12 numb 10.
It is also written
Vulsella, which is the Chyrurgions Little Tongs, and
are made of different shapes according to the diversity of
their uses.
Dismembering knife
XXI. He beareth a Dismembering Knife.
and an Incision Knife, the Points Counterposed.
The Dismembering Knife, is a crooked Blade,
especially towards the point; it is to cut the flesh so far as
the bone when a part is to be Sawed off: and is necessary
before the amputation or the Leg or Arm. Some Chyrurgions have the blade of this kind of Knife almost of a
Semicircle form, or Sickle like.
Incision knife
The Incision Knife, the Latin name it scalpellum, it is a small Pen knife with a bending point, and
some are streight pointed, slender, and narrow bladed,
from whence they are termed Woodcocks bill knives
With these Incision knives wounds are opened, and such
as are two narrow are dilated. and also great Impostumations are cut, and Lanced.
Myrtle leaf pointed knife
The third sort of knife is termed the Myrtle Leafe
pointed knife, these are double knives, sharp on both
sides, which at the end resemble the fashion of a Mirtle
leafe, it is used to cut off Wens, and Womens breasts as
are Cancerated.
Related text(s)
Scolopoma chaerion
Syringomata
Scalpellum Umbilicarium
Amphismela
Novacula
Dismembering chisel
XXII. In this quarter are two other Instruments that
belong to a Chyrurgion, The first is the Dismembering Chizell, which is used to cut off Toes and Fingers,
and also the tops of the Arm, and of the Radius.
Probe
The second is the Probe, the Latine from its office
term it Uulnerum Exploratorium, which is a long
slender Instrument round, with a kind of knob, or button
at one end; an eye like to a Needle at the other. Yet in
stid of an eye, some have a round flat end (a little turning) after the manner of a Spatula. Some make them
bending at both ends, others have them streight all along.
It is for that end generally made of Silver, that it may be
bended upon necessary occasions; the round end is used
to search out the state of wounds, and Fistula's; and also
with Lint rowled about the end, to cleanse wounds from
matter and corruption drawn out by Plasters. The broad
end is called, the Probe towards you, and is used to
apply powder, and plagets annointed with ointments, to
wounds. see chap.12 numb. 12.
Dismembering saw
XXIII. He beareth a Dismembering Saw.
This is in forme and fashion like the Ioyners Tenant
Saw, onely this hath the handle and the back all made
of Iron worke: with this bones are Sawed asunder, when
either a Legg, or Arme is to be taken off. By the benefite
of a Screw, the Saw plate is made either strait, or more
loose, in the iron frame.
Barber's chafer
In the dexter chief is the Barbers Chaffer, (or as
in our refined speech some call it a Chaffern, and a Caldafer, from the latine Calda ferens) wherein is carried
hot water, for the triming and shaveing of such as desire
to go according to the mode.
Forceps
XXIV. He beareth a Chyrurgions Forceps.
This is an Instrument like to
Cizers, save the cuting part is flat, and fall one to an other, the backs being round; or to say more properly a
paire of Pincers, which are used by the Thumb, and
Fore or midle Finger, to take off a plaster; or used for
severall other operations. They are of severall shaps and
sizes as long, crooked, with teeth, with beaks, in fashion
of an half moon, which according to their different shaps
have different names.
Spatula
XXV. In this Square you are presented with two sorts
of Spatulas. The first hath only the simple name of
a Spatula, whose use is to mix and temper Salves of
several sorts upon the ball of the hand, to prepare the
same for Tents to put in deep, and Lints (which are
termed Plagets) to lay upon ebb wounds. As also to
spread plasters either on cloth or leather. Some term
them a Spatula, or Splatter. see numb.46.
Spatula linguae
The Second is the Spatula Linguae, or a Tongue
Spatula; it is principally used to hold down the tongue,
when the mouth is to be looked into, in case of sores, or
other distempers ariseing from inward causes. See an other kind of them in numb.44.
Speculum oris
XXVI. He beareth a Speculum Oris in
fesse between a Great or Strong Levitor, and a
Uvular Spoon. but of them in perticulare.
The Speculum Oris, is an Instrument for the opening of the mouth when the teeth are
so strongly set together, that noe ordinary meanes will open them.
See cha. 10 numb.11. For distinction sake this may be termed
the Pincer-like speculum Oris. There is an other kind of them in the next Square numb.27.
Great levitor
Image from published plate
The Great or Strong Levitor, It is an Instrument by which depressed Skulls are raised: and it doth
its office with more force then that described numb.33.
& chap 12 numb.3.
because it hath not onely the firmness of it in the hand of him that raiseth it, but also in
the head of the patient.
Uvula spoon
The Uvula Spoon, is an Instrument made of Latine
or Silver, and is applyed to the uvula that is fallen; being a small Spoon, whose handle is hollow, and about 8
or 9 inches long, and is joyned to the lower part of the
Spoon; this Spoon being filled with pouders that are
drying and digesting, and put under the uvular relaxed, the Surgion takes the lower end of the Pipe in his
mouth, and by blowing, scatters the pouder all about
upon the Uvula, and the Palate.
Spatulum oris
XXVII. He beareth a Spatulum Oris with
a Screw. This is another kind of Instrument
to open the mouth wide with a Screw, when the Teeth
are fastned and joined forcibly together, yet by the help
hereof they are drawn asunder, that Meat or other Remedies may be applyed to Sick persons that they perish
not. This is an Instrument highly commended by Amb.
Parey, and others, for that use.
Syringe
XXVIII. He beareth in this quarter two necessary
Instruments used by Doctors and Chirurgions. The
first is termed a Syringe, or Clyster Syringe; a
Mouth or Ear Syringe; so called, because used
chiefly about those parts: It is made of Pewter or Silver, and serveth to draw out any Liquid matter, or to
squirt in any thing to the Organs of Hearing, or to the
Larinx in the Throat, to cleanse and heal Swellings and
Ulcers in those parts:
Twitcher
The second Instrument is called a Twitcher, or
Twitchers; by them Hair superfluously growing in
any part is pulled up by the Roots, especially on the
Eye-Brows, Eye-Lids, and the Nose; the other end serveth for a small Spatula; see numb.20.
Related text(s)
Enchyta
Rhinenchytes
Draughts
XXIX. These instruments are called Draughts,
or Pincers for the Teeth; with them are drawn all
sorts of Teeth, whether Dog, or Gum Teeth; but more
particularly. The first is termed Draughts for the
Teeth, or Teeth Pincers, which hold a Tooth fast
between them, and by a sudden Wrench or Twitch,
takes the Root and all together away with it. Some
term this the Pacis or Forser, or Odontagra.
Forcer
The next as lyeth under it, is termed a Forcer, or
a Toothed Pincer, whose use is to pull out Teeth,
which neither the Pellican or Common Draughts
can draw forth. See another chap.9. numb.179.
Tooth Levitor
The third is termed a Tooth Levitor; some have
them with three Teeth, but most use them of two
Teeth; with the help of this Instrument, the roots and
pieces of Rotten Teeth are prised out of the Gums
Some give these kinds of Instruments the name of
Punchers or Forcers; see chap.12. numb.23.
Fleams
XXX. Here are two sorts of Flegmes, which some
term Fleams, or Tooth Rippers and Tooth-Pickers; with these the Gums are separated from the
Teeth, that they may be pulled out with less danger
and trouble. They are made after several fashions, and
called by the Learned Phlebotomus, or Phelotomus, which
is also a Blood Letter.
Dismembering pincers
XXXI. In this Square is a Pair of Dismembering
pincers, between two Flegmes. For the first, which
is the Dismembering Nippers, as some term them,
are things like Pincers with sharp edges at the closeing
place; they are used for Amputation chiefly, and are
appointed to the cutting off of the Fingers and Toes, as
greater Instruments are used for the dismembering of the
Armes and Leggs.
Fleams
Image from published plate
In the chief and base, is set down two other forms of
Flegmes for the riping of the Gums. the first haveing
a flat edge at the contrary end, to cleanse the teeth from
Scales. And the other hath a sharp point to pick the
Teeth. Some draw the Flegmes with a plaine shank with
out any work upon it; and so do the French & Germans.
And as these Flegmes are the vulgar, or common
way of makein them; yet some have a sharp pointed
hooke at one end, and flat at the other, for the scrapeing
and cleansing of teeth from scales, and other hard substances which useth to fix themselves to the teeth. And
others make the Phlegmes crooked at both ends. others one end crooked, and hook like; and the other flat,
yet ending in a sharp point, after the form of a leafe: and
are termed Gravers, or Flegmes with Gravers,
which are for the same use as the flat end Flegmes. The
crooked end being made sharp doth serve not only for
tooth drawing, but also to Launch and cut the Gums, to
let them blood, or to cut oftentymes the superfluous flesh
away, which over groweth the teeth. From whence many call the Launcets, or Teeth Lancets.
Related text(s)
Cyclici
Ear picker
XXXII. He beareth an Eare picker, or an
Ear pick. The
use of this Instrument is to cleanse eares from waxe,
which often causeth a Deafness in the party: the other
end is used to cleanse the teeth. see numb.46.
Terebellum
XXXIII. He beareth a Terebellum, betw: a Scraping spatula, and a Lavitor. But of these severally.
The Terebellum, or Terebellum with a Screw,
is an hollow pipe, with a square shouldering and two
handles like to the Forceps, through which Pipe goeth
a long Piercer, with a most sharp Worm, or Screw
at the end, which being conveyed into a wound made by
a Gun-shot by the help of the Pipe in which it is hidden,
when the Bullet is felt in the Wounds, then the Piercer is
Screwed out of the Pipe into the Bullet, by which meanes
it is drawn out, and the wound healed.
Scraping spatula
The Scraping Spatula, so termed because the one
end is made with a Scraping hook to cleanse wounds,
and take of Splenters from Bones: and the other end
haveing the forme of a Spatula, it is used for the spreading of Plasters, and takeing out of Unguents, to mix
and temper them, and to put them on Lint. a Cyclisci, see numb.31.
Levator
The Levator, or Levatorie, some write it Leviter, it is an Instrument by which a depressed or brused
Scull is elevated or raised up. There are several forms
of this Instrument, as numb.26 29 & cha. 12. num. 3 23.
The lesser sorts are termed Levers.
Trepan
XXXIV. There are two sorts of Trepans, or Head
Saws, the one is the Male Trepan, the other the
Female, now all the difference in them, is that one hath
a Pin in the middle, the other hath not. They are fixed either in a Brace made of Iron fit for its use; or else
in an Handle, or thing to turn it by after the maner of an
Auger, or Carpenters Oger. So that this Trepan being thus furnished for use, is termed a Trepan fitted in
its Brace: whose operation is to cut away a part of the
Skull that is broken or brused down into the head, but it
is seldome used, and the less the better, seeing other Instruments will perform it work with less danger, when
there are fractures in the Cranium.
Lancet
The Instrument under the Trepan is called a Lancet,
it is a sharp pointed and slender blade made of Razor
mettle, and sharp in both edges; fixt in a Tortoice
case, or such like, to preserve it point, and keep it cleane.
It use is to make an Orifice in a Vein for blood letting: as
also to cut the Vessels, and open Impostumations in the
Skin, and other incisions more in the flesh as need requireth. It is in latin Lanceta, and Scalprum Chyrurgicum.
Related text(s)
Pyulcus
Male trepan and lentell
XXXV. This is the other form of the Male trepan set in its Handle, or hold to turn it by. Of its use
I have said some thing before, it being only to take up
broken and brused Skulls, see chap.12 numb.4 5.
Mr Woodall in his Surgeons Mate, called this a Trefine, a tribus finibus, from
its three ends, the one performing the office of the Trepan, the Handle being at
one end toothed serves for the Levitor; and the other
smooth, for a Smooth Levitor. see cha.12 num.7.
The Instrument called a Lentell, or a Lenticular,
in English a Cleanser, or Smoother: this is an other
kinde of Trepan which is put into the Handle aforesaid
when it is to be used; in which there is a square hole so
made in it, by means whereof the end of the Trepan being wrapt about with Cotton, is easily put in, and taken
out, as need requireth the chang of these round Saws. It
is used to cleanse away all small shivers and rasping of
bones, proceeding from the operation of excision; as also
for the removeing of what wilbe offensive to the Dura
Mater, or hinder the healing of the wound, as those very small erosions, Scrapings, dust, or Spills of bones
are very apt to do.
[The second image (not on the plate) is drawn at the end of the chapter 9 medical images; it is clearly the trepan handle]
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