Chapter XII. Further Medical Instruments; Leger de main; Buildings  Book III, Chapter 12
 
1. In this Chapter is the continuance of such Instruments as were omitted in the precedent Chapters: and are herein farther illustrated, and set forth in their due shapes, and described as to their peculiar uses.

Medical instruments (continued from Chapter 11)  Book III, Chapter 12, Section 1a
 



Capsula
 I. Is the Instrument called a Capsula, or a Little Chest, or Coffer, for so it signifieth in English, being a round Box with a round foot, and a Lid with a handle on the top, to take it off and put it on; in which is put a hot Iron to burn Fontanels in any part of the Head, or Body: that is, by makeing an issue through heat and fire, to divert a humour from the place afflicted; and is the only Instrument (being Artist like applyed) for that purpose; and the most absolute in all respects to avoid these three inconveniences, viz. Heat, Pain, and Sight of the Fire, which fearful Men, Women and Children are afraid of; for it hides the actual Cautery, or hot Iron; and being applyed to the place, suddenly causeth an Escar, before the Patient can perceive it, or feel any pain through Burning about or underneath, by reason the end of the Box or Case, doth secure all the parts near unto it.


Capsula
 II. This is the form of the Capsula, as I have seen it drawn in Heraldry.


Spatha
 III. The first and highmost, is an Instrument called a Spatha, namely a double folding Knife, sharp on the edge and broad on the back, ending in a point, the use whereof is to dilate Wounds on the head crosswise, or triangularly, as occassion requires; and with it the Paracentesis, or an Incision, is safely made in the Thorax for the letting forth of Dropsical humours. See chap.11. numb.21.


Lenticular
 The Instrument in base is termed a Lenticular, or a Scraping Livitor, as being compounded of a Scraping Tool, and a Levitor. Therefore serveth for two uses: The Levitor, at the end of the Perforation of the Skull, is thrust in between the lipps of the bone cut forth, to move the same up and down. that it may grow loose, and may be taken forth with the toothed part of the Pincers (mencioned numb 10) also it is used to raise mean depressions of the Skull. The Lentel, or Scraping part, fixt at the head of the Instrument, serves to take away all roughness, and to scrape it off, and to make it smooth, after the cuting forth of the bone removed. See other sorts of Lavators, chap 11 numb.26 29 33.

Related text(s)   Spatha

Male trepan
 IV. This is the Male Trepan, or a Modiolus, of some Authors called an Abaptista, or Ana baptisson, an Instrument made hollow and round, and at the utmost brims nicked like a saw; and it hath four shoulders on that part of the Trepan that must be turned about the bone: It hath also a pin in the middle, that when it begineth first to be turned, it may stand fast on the Cranium or bare Skull, and that the parts about it (which are most Sensible) may be preserved the more safe from hurt. For if the Trepan to be first used have no Pin, at the begining of its work the trepaning of the Skull would be performed with the greatest danger, and with vehement pain.


Decussorium
No image located
The Decussorium, is a Chyrurgions Instrument wherewith the Dura Mater being pressed, which is most acuratly ioyned to the Scull; then the Puss or Snotty matter gathered between the said Scull and Skin, is evacuated by a hole made with the said Trepan.


Female trepan
 V. This is the female Trepan, now there is no difference between the male and female Trepan, but for the Pin in the middle which the female wants, and for that cause called Females. There is ever made some print upon the Skull by the male Trepan, that the female may stand the faster upon it. The use of them is as I said before in chap.11 numb.34 35. to Saw out round peeces of the Skull, where it is broken or brused into the head; and cannot otherwise be raised up by Instruments These are in Latine called Trepannum.


Trefine
 VI. This is an Instrument called a Trefine, or a Threefold Trepan, or Triangular Trepan. Of its use I have spoken before chap 11 numb.48. This Instrument and the two first mentioned in this chapter numbers 9 10 are set here againe upon an oversight, the which were before chap.11 numb.20.


Cauterizing iron
  Image from published plate
In the dexter base is an Hollow open Cauterizing Iron, haveing a shoulder at the top to keep it that it do go no further into the hole where it is put.


Fundal case
  Image from published plate
And in the sinister base is the Fundal Case haveing an hole in the upper side, and Barrs of Steel round, and a tang at the bottom to Screw an handle on to hold it by; the Iron being made hot, is put in the said Fundall hole and so applyed. Whose use and operation is in a maner the same to that pipe and its stile, mentioned numb.24.


Woodalls Trefine
 VII. This is Woodalls Trefine, I give it that name to distinguish it from the other Trefine beforesaid, it was an Instrument much used and approved off by Mr John Woodall and prescribed in his Surgeons Mate. Of which I have spoken before chap.11 numb.35


Trepan end
  Image from published plate
The Instrument in the chief, is the Trepan end of the said Trefine, which is used in the place of a Trepan being fixed in an Handle, as is described before.


Tunnell
 The thing in base, is called a Tunnell, being made either of Horn, or other mettle, besides Silver; which the most ablest Chyrurgions, usually have it made off. It is to convey drink, or other liquid medicines into the Throat of such whose teeth are sett, and cannot be opened: The narrow end of the Tunnell or pipe of Silver being thrust between the outmost Gum of the Patient.


Seton pincers
 VIII. This is a Paire of Seton pincers, having holes through the Chops of them, each against the other; so that being closed, an iron pin may be thrust through both together. With this Instrument they take hold of leane peoples necks untill there be made a Seton, or the Skin perforated with a red hot iron as sharp as a needle, delivered to the Chyrurgion by his servent. All which is done by runing it through the holes in the Chops of the Pincers. See an other sort of Pincer ca.11 n.41.


Levitor
 IX. The Instrument in the chief is a Levitor with an Handle, if whose use I have said nothing before, see chap.11. num.20. only this is truer drawn than that.


Short saw
 In the base is a Short Saw with an Handle, which Surgeons use to cut away the distances between the holes made in the Skull with the Trepan. And also to abolish Rafts like haires that do not penetrate, and to scrape away the rottedness of the Cranium. This is also called a streight Hand Saw, and is sometyme set in an iron frame after the maner of a Dismembering Saw.


Volsella
 X. This Instrument in chief is a Volsella, or puller, which should not have bine here, because I have treated of its use chap.11 num.20. This is called by some Latin Authors an Acantabolus.


Seton
 In the base is an other kinde of Seton, or Burning pincers, by meanes whereof Setons without pain, or danger are burnt in the nape of peoples necks, when occasion requireth. This Instrument neere to the holding or pinching part (in which are two holes like the Pincers in numb.8) hath in the shanks a wide and circular cavity, and an Iron ring, or socket, which being thrust forwards on the shanks binds fast the Pincers with the fleshy part of the neck between the chopps. These Pincers are only necessary when the Chyrurgion hath no servant to deliver him the needle, or bodkin very red hot, to make a Seton, but he must fetch it from the fire himselfe.


Seton needle
Proof plate Image from proof plate
In the fesse part between the two foresaid Instruments, is the Seton needle, of which I have spoken before chap.11 numb.43. but this is on an other fashion and made much longer.

Related text(s)   Seton pincers

Crooked forceps
 XI. In the chief of this Square, is an Instrument called a Paire of Crooked Forceps, it is to pull forth, or thrust down, smal bones or any thing else, that chanceth to stick in the Throat. They are smal slender Pincers bended into a semicircle with teeth, and a little Button at the points; the Handles like a paire of Barbers Cizars. Some term them Forceps Thoracis, or the Thorax pincers.


Goose bill pincers
 That in the base is termed, a Goose bill Pincers, or Bullet Forceps, and of some a Pair of pincers with Goose beaks, with these a Bullet is taken out of a deep wound.

Related text(s)   Goose bill pincers   Stone forceps

Straight probe
  Image from published plate
XII. In this Quarter are severall things usefull for Surgeons. The first is the Streight Probe with a needle Eye, this is much used as namely, it hath dry Lint wrapped about the button end, which keeps it from sliping off; which is by the Artiste termed, Armed with dry Lint, or Arm the Probe, by which the wound is mundified and cleansed from matter and filth. And being so Armed with Lint, and dipt in some Lotion, oyle or other Liquor; doth Bath or Drench, Corrode or Supple a wound, to heale and asswage it paine. Also by it is enquired the depth of a wound, fistula, or Ulcer: thereby to apply Tents, and Madicaments accordingly. See chap.11 numb.22.


Crooked probe
 The Instrument in the fesse or middle part of the field, is called the Crooked Probe, or Spatula Probe, being broadish at one end. whose use is for the Searching of wounds; and the other end to put powders on wounds, and anoynt Plagets with oyntments. The Probe hath severall denominations, of some termed a Mela, others a Specillum, the vulgar call it Tenta, a Tent, from trying. It is made for the most part of Silver or Ivory, and that to Probe Ulcers, or to draw the Stone out of the Yard, &c. They are of different shapes according as they are diversly used.


Swathe band
 That in the dexter base is termed a Swathe Band wrapt up, or Rowled at both ends. Of some called a Rowller, or a Linnen Rowller. These serve only to bind about a wound, or broken bone, or Joynt. some call it a Fascia, they are made diversly; as long, or short, others broad or narrow.


Tent
  Image from published plate
That in this square between them aforesaid, is called a Tent, it is made of old linnen cloth scraped woolly, called Lint; which is rowlled gently up like a naile, and the end being dipt in Salve sutable for the Sore: It is thrust into a deep wound, or Ulcer, to cleanse and heale it within. Of the learned it is termed Carpia, Tenta, or Turunda, and Turundula.


Plagilet
 The Plenia, or plumaceolus, or plegula; are Bolters of linnen 3 or 4 or 5 tymes double, euen to the thickness of the Spleen; they are used upon wounds, Ulcers, and Fractures. We call it in English a plagilet.

Related text(s)   Funda Galeni   Laqueus   Mitella   Platisma   Stupe   Plaster   Cere cloth   Motos   Ferula

Next section

 

 
icon  Back to Main Text and Picture index  

[Table of Contents] [Picture Index] [Image List]
[Table of Subjects] [Text Index]   [Ms Pages]
[Introduction: Randle Holme and The Academy of Armory] [Introduction: Editing the CD-ROM]
[Copyright details] [Site map] [Guided Tour]



icon  © 2000 The British Library Board