Medical instruments (continued)  Book III, Chapter 11, Section 1c
 



Pelican
 XXXVI. He beareth a Paire of Plain Pelicans, these being toothed at the ends are made fit by a small boulster to fit it to the tooth, will by the wrench or turn of a strong and nimble hand (not by pulling) raise and force up out of the Gums, any tooth it can take hold on; and that with much ease to the Patient. see chap.12 numb.16. an other kinde of Pellican.


Straight pincers
 XXXVII. This is the right or Streight Pincers for the Polipus, being for no other use, the same is of Steele, and is in the tentive part, or shank that holdeth, made outwardly convex, but inwardly concave, haveing an edge inwardly bent backwards. So that it can cut nothing but the Polipus, which it layeth hold on. see the Crooked one, chap 12 numb 15.


Cupping glass
  Image from published plate
In the base of this Square, is that which is called a Cuping Glass, by the Chyrurgions term'd Ventosa. It is a round Glass, bottle like, but without a neck. It is applyed to the body with Scarrification, or without it; to draw out the blood, and flatulent matter, or to divert it into other parts. It is also called a Cucurbita Caeca, or Cucurbitula. Some are made of Brass, Tin, or Horn, &c.


Crane bill pincer
 XXXVIII. This is the Toothed Crane bill Pincers, by some Chyrurgions the Beakes are made bending, as in these; yet others make them streight beaked, the bent being only in the ioynt, or reveting part, directed to an obtuse angle: thereby fit to take any thing that is smal out of wounds, and to draw them forth.


Razor
 The under Instrument in this quarter is a Razour in its Haft, this is very sharp in the edge, with a broad and thick back, by which means it is fastned in a bone, horn or tortice shell haft, like a foulding knife. Its use is well known to most, which is chiefly to shave away haire where and when necessity requireth, which is the Barbers office. But the Surgion useth it very often about his imploy, especially when there is no feare of hurting the parts under the place where Incisions and Scarifications are to be made, or such like operations wrought.


Barber's chafing dish
 XXXIX. Here in this Square, in the dexter corner is set a Barbers Chaffeing dish, or a Fire pan, or pot, with a Turning handle. This is much used by Barbers in the winter tyme, especially in those Shops that have no fire places: It may by the handle be transported from place to place, but is generally it is set under a Brass or Copper Bason with a flat and broad bottom, which is called the ------------ on which if their linnen clothes be rubbed, or let thereon ly, in a little tyme it will make them hot, or warme for their use.


Razor
 The other Instrument is a Razour, raised out of the Haft and tipped with Silver; that is, Silver plates engraven are fixed upon each end of the heft, to make the same look more gent and rich: as it is very oft done by yong proud Artist's who adorne their Instruments with Silver Shrines: more then seting themselves forth by the glory that attends their Art; or praise obtained by their Skill.

Related text(s)   Furnace

Speculum ani
 XL. This is a Speculum Ani, to be opened by the thrusting of the ends together with the hand: of some it is termed a Speculum Matricis, which is the same for the effects; for both names declare its use, which is to open the Fundament, or Matrix, as occasion shalbe offered upon any grief, or disease happening therein: neither can the grief in those parts be well seen without it. It is also called a Dilatorium, because it dilates or opens such parts. And also Dioptra, that through the enlarging of the Matrix, a dead Foetus may be extracted out of the womb.


Scraping tool
 The Instrument above it, is called a Scraping tool, with an Handle. Of these there are diverse sorts, as some are only bent in the end and flat, but sharp in the edge: others three parts round; some round in the bent; some long; others pointed. &c.


Seton
 XLI. This Instrument is termed a Seton, or Seton pincers, or Pincers to burn a Seton in the neck. see cha.12 num.8 10. other forms of them. With these is the skin and flesh in any part of the body taken up, so as an hole (which the Artists term a Seton) may be burned through, and the other parts adioyning shall receive no hurt, or be inflamed. it opens & shuts like the forceps.


Needle
  Image from published plate
In the chief of this square is an other forme of a Needle, with a broad and flat point, like to a Willow leafe; which Surgions use in some kinde of operation.


Stitching needle
 XLII. In this quarter is a streight Needle, between a Catheter, and a Siving pipe. Of the use of these in perticular, take as followeth.
First the Needle, it is long and streight, and called by the Artists a stitching needle, because with it, and the stitching quill, wide and gapeing wounds, or cuts are sowed or drawn together, which they term (Stitching up of a wound) it serves also for the sowing of Rollers of cloth together; for makeing the readier, and more convenient Ligatures in wounds and ulcers, as occasion is.
Celsus informs us that the Ancients used for this operation an Instrument called Fibula, or Sutures, which was no more then a Needle full of soft untwisted Silk or Thread, wherewith they sowed the Gapeing Lipps of a wound together. some call it Acia, or this needle full of thread they term Vinculum, Ligatura, Colligatio, Obligatio, or Ligamentum, all which signifieth a tying or binding. See Rhodios in his discourse about the word Acia.


Catheter
 The Catheter, or Urine probe, as some term it, is a long pipe with some few holes at one end, the other wide and open; into which pipe is put a Pin called the Itinerarium, haveing a turned or hooped head to hold it by, when it is taken out, or put in. The Instrument is Made of silver, that it may be bent as occasion is. If this be thrust into the passage of a mans yard, and into the bladder, it removeth the Stone that lyeth in the neck thereof and giveth liberty to Urine upon the Itinerarium, or Pin drawing back. Now the pin is for no other use in the Pipe, but to keep the Urine that it do not presently run forth till the Cutter of the Stone, or Phisitian have found how the Stone lyeth. This is of some termed a Fistulus Instrument.
This Itinerarium, or Pin which is thrust into the cavity of the Pipe, being fixt in the Urinary passage, shews the neck of the Sphincter of the Bladder, that an Incision may be more surely made to find out the Stone.


Syringe pipe
 The Syringe pipe, or more properly a Glister pipe though it will serve for either uses: It is to Syringe the mouth, throat, or any deep wound, it is then Screwed on the end of a Syring (as mentioned numb.28.) for the pipe is to be put on and taken off at pleasure; besides the pipes are diversly made, some hollow streight through, for to force or squirt a liquor forwards; others with severall holes in the end (as in this) to Squirt round about, for the cleansing and washing of deep sores. see ch. 12 n.33.
If for the Clyster or Glister pipe, as vulgarly called, then it is fixed into the mouth or bottom of a bladder (wherein Glister ingredients are tyed up) and so thrust up the Fundament to inject the same into the Bowells.
That which stops the Glister Pipe that the medicine runs not forth, is termed the Endiaeum, Which is no other thing else but a cloth or cork hung in a thread, & put into the pipe; by which thread the same is drown out, when the pipe is put into the fundament.


Speculum Matricis, bodkin and spatula oculi
 XLIII. Here you are presented with three Instruments more belonging to Chyrurgicall operation. a Speculum Matricis haveing a screw, between a Bodkin, or Needle for a seton, and a Spatula occuli. Of all which take this short description.
First for the Speculum Matricis, or Screw'd Speculum Ani, this is an inspecting instrument, yet contrary to that mentioned numb.40 but for the same uses to that, though it be of an other forme or shape: This being opened and shut with a Screw, haveing four pointed Plates with Cavities, to dilate or open that part into which it is put, as the thing it selfe doth more plainly manifest, then by words can be described.
The second is a Bodkin, or a long and sharp Needle set in a Haft, or Handle to hold it by: the Artists call it a Seton Needle, or Needle to burn a Seton. Which is done by help of the Pincers mentioned in numb.41. and chap,12 numb.8. 10. And this Needle being made answerable to the holes in the said Pincers, and heated red hot, is thrust through the said holes the Skin and flesh held in them, it passeth most nimbly, and makes a Seton, or perforates the flesh almost paineless.
The third is a Spatula Oculi, which is an Instrument like a Ring fixed on the end of a pin, or strong silver wyer; Oculists use to put it over the Ball of the eye to keep both the eye and the lids stiddy, and firm from motion, while the Haw, or Cataract, or the like, is cuting of the sight of the eye; and also for other operations to be performed on the same. Some Chyrurgions have the Ring open above, like the figure in numb.28.


Speculum oris
 XLIV. The first of these Instruments is termed the Speculum oris, or rather the pincer-like Spatula Linguae: with it the Tongue and lower Chap is pressed down, by takeing hold on the Tongue, and under the Chin at once: And is very necessary to hold open the Mouth for the better applying of medicines to the Roofe, and Throat: And also that the diseases of the Mouth may be seen exactly, and handled with convenient Instruments. But it was chiefly made to preserve the teeth of Furious, and Astonished men, when drawn asunder; untill such tymes as they have swallowed down meate and drink Sufficient.


Crane bill pincers
 The second Instrument is called a Crane Bill Pincers with a spring, this is an other way of makeing them, which is contrary to that before mentioned, being much shorter and rounder in the Beak, whose operation and the use hereof see numb.38.


Cautering irons and hook end cautery
 XLV. These are several sorts of Cautereres, that is to say Cautering Irons, or Searing Irons, with which persons are burned behind in the Neck, when there is in them any tokens of an apoplexy, Epilepsy, or Vertigo; that is the Dead Palsy, the Falling Sickness, and the Giddiness or turning in the head: Also they are often used to Cauterize any Vein or Artery in strong Fluxes of Blood, which cannot be staid; and to Burn the whole end of the stump of an Arm or Leg when cut off. They are in Latine called Cauterium, and Escharoticum.
The first a square Cautery, of which they have several sizes, and round.
The second a round Cautery; of them there is diverse proportions.
The third a Hook end Cautery; there is also them in the form of an Heart; and like Plummers and Glasiers Soddering Iron Heads, set thus in Hafts or Handles.
That in the Sinister Base, is the form of another hook end, of such kind of Irons to Cauterize withal.


Spatula and head saw
 XLVI. Is a Spatula with an Ear-pick at the end of it. Of the double use of this Instrument; see in numb.32. how it is used to cleanse the Ears; and in numb.25. how used for the mixing of Salves.
The second is an Head Saw set in an Handle; it resembles a double edged Axe or Hatchet, one fixed to the head of the other, and set in a round handle, save the edges are toothed like a Saw. Its use is to cut the Skull in case of Fractures, and for divers other Operations where small Saws are to be used.


Enema fumosum and stopple
 XLVII. Are the two Pipes of the Instrument, called Enema Fumosum, or Fistula Fumosa; the Fumous Clyster pipe, with which a Clyster is given by Smoak, or of Smoak; the Stopples thereof (as to its parts) are seven in number, all screwed one into another; then the same is set in the hole of the Clyster pipe, the bigness whereof ought to be of ordinary length, or according to Art, either bigger or lesser, as the present occasion may urge.
The Stopple (which is the higher Figure) hath a large Head, which contains the fumous Medicine, and hath a cover screwed upon it full of holes for the better inflation or blowing of the Smoak down the Pipe, and so through the Clyster Pipe placed in the Fundament, as in the manner of other Clysters.


Trefine
 XLVIII. Is the Figure of a Trefine, or a three fold Trepan, of some termed a three formed Trepan. It is an Instrument made of Iron, which hath three diverse sorts of Trepans; the use whereof is necessary in the pricking of the Skull, that doth not penetrate both the Tables; that with them the print made upon the Skull may be taken away. The Triangular part of this Instrument may also be used for the small Trepan, with which the first Table of the Skull is almost perforated or pierced, before the Triploides with a Screw be applyed to his Operation. See chap.12 numb.6. 7.


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