Tools
Overview:
Scroll to view medieval artifacts regarding Medical Tools in the medieval world. These tools were used in surgery, to check the general well being of a patient, and even for common medical treatment.
Scroll to view medieval artifacts regarding Medical Tools in the medieval world. These tools were used in surgery, to check the general well being of a patient, and even for common medical treatment.
Brass Surgical Knife
Date: 900-1100 Size: "length of 39 leaves" Origin: Syria Medium: Brass and Steel Current location of artifact: Science Museum A121667 Click here to learn more! |
Description: A Surgical knife made of brass and a steel blade
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This artifact is beautiful, because of how old and delicate it is, and shows the very early tools used by physicians. This particular artifact is one of my favorites in my exhibit because despite it being the oldest tool in my exhibit, and it truly shows how advanced medieval medicine was, being that it is from over one thousand years ago!
As you can see, the knife is in a sub-par condition. The outward part of the knife, encompassing the blade, is made out of brass with the blade itself being crafted out of steel. The knife is rusty, after being buried for many years, and part of the blade is broken at the tip. At the end of the knife, there is a small loop that was most likely used as a finger hole for the physician as a “grip” to provide a steady hand during surgery.
Knifes, like the one shown above, were used during surgery and other medical practices very similarly to how they are utilized today. Whether it be to pierce the skin before performing blood letting or cutting certain appendages, medical knifes were used. As you can see, the medical knives were not differentiated between other types of knifes, such as hunting or filleting knives, and somewhat resembles a pocket knife that is used today
Although there are some differences, like the mere size of the knife’s blades and the sizes of the handle, it is astonishing that both knives have handles, a retractable blade and a sort of “grip” to help the physician. Aside from aesthetic differences, really, the only difference is the hygiene practices differ and certain techniques were improved along with greater technology that allowed knowledge of medical practices to expand. If one stops to think about the technology and medical knowledge that was present over one thousand years ago, striking similarities arise.
This artifact, being dated between 990 and 1100 and discovered in modern day Syria, shows the height of the medical revolution in the Islamic world, when it became the epicenter for medical research, study, and practice. The crusades, for example, served as the means for transmission of forms of medical knowledge, techniques, and practices, which sparked a medical revolution. With medical knowledge spreading like wildfire, interest in learning about the human body was sparked and often times through dissection of corpses, various connecting parts, inner organs, and veins were all discovered and mapped for the physician’s use.
http://collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co108410/brass-surgical-knife-syria-900-1100-surgical-knife
As you can see, the knife is in a sub-par condition. The outward part of the knife, encompassing the blade, is made out of brass with the blade itself being crafted out of steel. The knife is rusty, after being buried for many years, and part of the blade is broken at the tip. At the end of the knife, there is a small loop that was most likely used as a finger hole for the physician as a “grip” to provide a steady hand during surgery.
Knifes, like the one shown above, were used during surgery and other medical practices very similarly to how they are utilized today. Whether it be to pierce the skin before performing blood letting or cutting certain appendages, medical knifes were used. As you can see, the medical knives were not differentiated between other types of knifes, such as hunting or filleting knives, and somewhat resembles a pocket knife that is used today
Although there are some differences, like the mere size of the knife’s blades and the sizes of the handle, it is astonishing that both knives have handles, a retractable blade and a sort of “grip” to help the physician. Aside from aesthetic differences, really, the only difference is the hygiene practices differ and certain techniques were improved along with greater technology that allowed knowledge of medical practices to expand. If one stops to think about the technology and medical knowledge that was present over one thousand years ago, striking similarities arise.
This artifact, being dated between 990 and 1100 and discovered in modern day Syria, shows the height of the medical revolution in the Islamic world, when it became the epicenter for medical research, study, and practice. The crusades, for example, served as the means for transmission of forms of medical knowledge, techniques, and practices, which sparked a medical revolution. With medical knowledge spreading like wildfire, interest in learning about the human body was sparked and often times through dissection of corpses, various connecting parts, inner organs, and veins were all discovered and mapped for the physician’s use.
http://collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co108410/brass-surgical-knife-syria-900-1100-surgical-knife
Medical Instruments from Mirror of Phlebotomy & Practice of Surgery"
Date: c.1425-1550 Size: unknown Language: English Origin: England Medium: Parchment Current location of artifact: Glasgow University Library (U.4.9), (folio 43r) Click here to learn more! |
Description: "Medieval surgical instruments. From John of Arderne's book "Mirror of Phlebotomy & Practice of Surgery"."
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The book “Mirror of Phlebotomy & Practice of Surgery,” by John of Arderne, was a book of knowledge, with a specific section for medicine. This book would be utilized by educators and students while learning and studying to become a doctor, which tells the viewer that physicians learned their practices from books along with their professors. Much like modern school, becoming a doctor was an extensive process, but a noble degree; of course, not as honorable as studying law or theology, but since it was a profession that helped others, it was highly regarded. Doctors would enter into school to study the seven liberal arts, which included grammar, rhetoric, logic, geometry, arithmetic, music and astrology. By the eleventh and twelfth centuries, schooling would draw from Greek medical texts until the Articella was created, which was the major training manual for doctors
This particular entry is very interesting because the tools are not physical objects, like the objects above and below, but rather drawings of medical tools that were used during surgery and other medical procedures. In the drawing above, two saw-like instruments are shown along with needles and knifes that can be seen on the left and bottom. All of these instruments would be used during medical procedures, such as surgery, and for different purposes that are roughly the same as today. A needle would be used to make a small puncture on the surface of the skin or other areas, a knife would be used to make larger incisions, and a saw would be used in cases of amputation or removal of other parts.
This artifact is a clear depiction of the various medical tools used by physicians in the Middle Ages. Because of the entries into John of Arderne's book "Mirror of Phlebotomy & Practice of Surgery,” historians are able to accurately uncover how medicine was practiced by medieval physicians, and the different medical procedures that were commonly done. With this, the viewer is able to uncover the progression of advancement of tools throughout the Middle Ages and understand the growing knowledge in the medical field. For example, if one would compare the artifact above, the Brass Surgical Knife, with this, differences arise. Despite one being an actual object and this artifact being taken from a book consisting of drawings, two knifes are shown in this artifact: the third from the left and at the bottom. As one can blatantly see, the transformation of this tool is uncanny and has a strong resemblance to modern scalpel, or surgical knife. When comparing the two images, the renovation of a knife represents the everchanging transformation of the medical world, with knowledge always being built upon and technology propelling further research.
http://special.lib.gla.ac.uk/exhibns/chaucer/medicine.html
This particular entry is very interesting because the tools are not physical objects, like the objects above and below, but rather drawings of medical tools that were used during surgery and other medical procedures. In the drawing above, two saw-like instruments are shown along with needles and knifes that can be seen on the left and bottom. All of these instruments would be used during medical procedures, such as surgery, and for different purposes that are roughly the same as today. A needle would be used to make a small puncture on the surface of the skin or other areas, a knife would be used to make larger incisions, and a saw would be used in cases of amputation or removal of other parts.
This artifact is a clear depiction of the various medical tools used by physicians in the Middle Ages. Because of the entries into John of Arderne's book "Mirror of Phlebotomy & Practice of Surgery,” historians are able to accurately uncover how medicine was practiced by medieval physicians, and the different medical procedures that were commonly done. With this, the viewer is able to uncover the progression of advancement of tools throughout the Middle Ages and understand the growing knowledge in the medical field. For example, if one would compare the artifact above, the Brass Surgical Knife, with this, differences arise. Despite one being an actual object and this artifact being taken from a book consisting of drawings, two knifes are shown in this artifact: the third from the left and at the bottom. As one can blatantly see, the transformation of this tool is uncanny and has a strong resemblance to modern scalpel, or surgical knife. When comparing the two images, the renovation of a knife represents the everchanging transformation of the medical world, with knowledge always being built upon and technology propelling further research.
http://special.lib.gla.ac.uk/exhibns/chaucer/medicine.html
"Tashrīḥ al-badan" Anatomy of the human body
Date: 1488 (December) Size: "length of 39 leaves" Language: Arabic Origin: Syria Medium: Parchment Current location of artifact: National Library of Medicine Click here to learn more! |
Description: Mapping the brain, spine and various nerves throughout the human body
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This particular artifact is of the inside of the human body. Today, this anatomy would be known as the Central Nervous System. As you can see, the brain is labeled at the top and it extends into the spinal cord, with the nerves extending out from the cord in all different directions. At the time, no such label would be given to this artifact, but the mere fact that it was mapped out this early is impressive. The artifact is in great condition and is taken from a medical book known as “Tashrīḥ-i Manṣūrī.” This book, with this particular body map, would have been circulated in the Middle Ages and would become common medical knowledge, which shows the interconnectedness of medieval society.
Medieval doctors used body maps, like the one above, when performing surgeries, to know the location of certain bones, as well as when bloodletting, to know where central veins were. Body maps were used as a self-made tool for doctors when performing surgeries or other work on their patients. This is just one example, including the brain, bones of the spinal cord, and the nerves that extended from the spine. However, body maps were most commonly made in order to map the veins of the body. In order to make body maps, physicians would perform dissections on dead bodies who would have died from illness, infection or simply of old age, since the average life expectancy was between thirty and forty years. An infatuation with death occurred during this time period, so dissection was a common medical practice. Body mapping is not an uncommon process either, since it would be used many years later, through the practice of phrenology for example.
This artifact is an example of transmissible medical knowledge of the time. Since this was mapped in modern day Syria, which was considered the center of all medical knowledge. Through trade with Syria, alliances, and positive relations with Syria, this artifact would have been shared. Circulation medical documents, like the artifact above, were critical to advancement of medical practices, medical beliefs, and medical technology. This would have then been put into medical “textbooks” that would be used at university, making the intended audience educators and those who were educated. Also, as mentioned above, this was the start of a practice that would develop into modern medicine today. In reality, “body maps” are still in use today when doctors learn anatomy. Today, more advanced medical knowledge allows doctors to have more detailed, more structured body maps and can even be customized to each unique person, thanks to medical technology. However, this would have never been made possible without the artifact above, like other body maps of the time.
https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/catalog/nlm:nlmuid-9406458-bk
Medieval doctors used body maps, like the one above, when performing surgeries, to know the location of certain bones, as well as when bloodletting, to know where central veins were. Body maps were used as a self-made tool for doctors when performing surgeries or other work on their patients. This is just one example, including the brain, bones of the spinal cord, and the nerves that extended from the spine. However, body maps were most commonly made in order to map the veins of the body. In order to make body maps, physicians would perform dissections on dead bodies who would have died from illness, infection or simply of old age, since the average life expectancy was between thirty and forty years. An infatuation with death occurred during this time period, so dissection was a common medical practice. Body mapping is not an uncommon process either, since it would be used many years later, through the practice of phrenology for example.
This artifact is an example of transmissible medical knowledge of the time. Since this was mapped in modern day Syria, which was considered the center of all medical knowledge. Through trade with Syria, alliances, and positive relations with Syria, this artifact would have been shared. Circulation medical documents, like the artifact above, were critical to advancement of medical practices, medical beliefs, and medical technology. This would have then been put into medical “textbooks” that would be used at university, making the intended audience educators and those who were educated. Also, as mentioned above, this was the start of a practice that would develop into modern medicine today. In reality, “body maps” are still in use today when doctors learn anatomy. Today, more advanced medical knowledge allows doctors to have more detailed, more structured body maps and can even be customized to each unique person, thanks to medical technology. However, this would have never been made possible without the artifact above, like other body maps of the time.
https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/catalog/nlm:nlmuid-9406458-bk
Description: "A bullet extractor which screwed into the soft lead of the bullet."
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Scien"Medieval Bullet Extractor"
Date: 1501-1600 Size: 2,923 × 1,155 Origin: Europe (unknown) Medium: Steel and Brass Current location of artifact: Science Museum, London Click here to learn more! |
Innovation in artillery continued with the development of the matchlock arquebus and its variant, the heavy arquebus, or more commonly referred to as the musket. The musket in particular, was a relatively powerful weapon with bullets capable of piercing through heavy armor. The bullets fired by the musket were made entirely of cast lead. With the more powerful artillery, bullets could inflict more damage and travel deeper into the victim. However, a major concern for those treating the wounded was infection, as there is a greater chance of death from an infection due to the bullet being left inside someone than there is directly from the gunshot itself. Because of the high risk of a fatal infection, there was a dire need for an instrument that could remove foreign material from deep within someone’s body.
The bullet extractor pictured above is rusted from end to end. In between the handles is the central screw that is used to extend the tip of the extractor. Variations of this instrument have a handle connected to the screw for easy rotation. The bullet extractor was used by physicians on soldiers after battle. The physician would insert the long end of the extractor directly into the wound. Then, the central screw could be rotated in order to extend the tip. The extractor would be extended until the tip pierced the bullet soft metal. At this point, the instrument would then be removed from the wound. Medical students would learn the proper way to utilize this tool while at university, as well as learn about dangers of a foreign object being left inside of someone.
The bullet extractor is a great example of how the necessity for specific tools changes over time, and how innovations in one aspect of life can affect the necessary innovations in another aspect of life. Using this bullet extractor as an example, a new invention in military weaponry regarding guns and bullets led to a demand for a tool that could remove the deeply lodged bullets. Before these innovations, bullets could pierce through a person’s body as easily, and most bullet wounds were shallow enough to only require a small tool to remove them. This bullet extractor is a great display of ingenuity and the dynamic medical innovation needed. Because of tools like this bullet extractor, other medical advancements have been made and their response to an ever changing society ensues.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_bullet_extractor_Wellcome_L0035455.jpg
https://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10545767&itemw=4&itemf=0001&itemstep=1&itemx=3
The bullet extractor pictured above is rusted from end to end. In between the handles is the central screw that is used to extend the tip of the extractor. Variations of this instrument have a handle connected to the screw for easy rotation. The bullet extractor was used by physicians on soldiers after battle. The physician would insert the long end of the extractor directly into the wound. Then, the central screw could be rotated in order to extend the tip. The extractor would be extended until the tip pierced the bullet soft metal. At this point, the instrument would then be removed from the wound. Medical students would learn the proper way to utilize this tool while at university, as well as learn about dangers of a foreign object being left inside of someone.
The bullet extractor is a great example of how the necessity for specific tools changes over time, and how innovations in one aspect of life can affect the necessary innovations in another aspect of life. Using this bullet extractor as an example, a new invention in military weaponry regarding guns and bullets led to a demand for a tool that could remove the deeply lodged bullets. Before these innovations, bullets could pierce through a person’s body as easily, and most bullet wounds were shallow enough to only require a small tool to remove them. This bullet extractor is a great display of ingenuity and the dynamic medical innovation needed. Because of tools like this bullet extractor, other medical advancements have been made and their response to an ever changing society ensues.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_bullet_extractor_Wellcome_L0035455.jpg
https://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp?image=10545767&itemw=4&itemf=0001&itemstep=1&itemx=3