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 plateIn 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 plateAnd 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 plateThe 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
Image from proof plateIn 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 plateXII. 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 plateThat 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
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