Whether you’re intrigued by the surgical practices of the Civil War era or fascinated by the origins of modern dentistry, collecting antique medical kits offers endless insights into the medical practices our ancestors developed and endured. In the 18th century, medical conventions might have included bloodletting, applying hot coals to the body, or blistering—using caustic powders to raise blisters on the skin—in an effort to draw “bad humors” from the body. Less adventurous patients might have turned to apothecaries, where quack cure-alls flourished, often keeping patients in dulled states of inebriation. The very poor, who could afford neither a physician’s treatment nor a chemist’s potions, most likely relied on folk medicine and homemade remedies.
Despite the prolific horrors of medical history, interest in antique medical kits and instruments has steadily grown among medical professionals and general collectors alike.
While the sight of drills, saws, knives, and other tools might make the squeamish grimace, a macabre fascination often fuels the passion of many collectors. Read on for a comprehensive guide to collecting antique medical kits and instruments of healing throughout history.
COLLECTIBLE INSTRUMENTS
The catalog of medical instruments and their development has filled volumes and the reasons for collecting them are just as numerous. Many collectors use their own profession or specialty as a springboard for choosing how to build a collection. The ear, nose and throat specialist may find the “tonsil guillotine” of particular interest, while the ophthalmologist may be more interested in procuring a set of instruments used for early cataract operations. Other collectors choose items that are ornate or those that have a particular historical significance, like Civil War amputation kits or instruments whose provenance shows that they were used on famous — or infamous — characters in history.
AMPUTATION SAWS & SURGICAL KITS
For centuries, amputation was the prescribed method of treatment for everything from broken bones to gangrene. Early versions of the amputation saw were extremely heavy and unwieldy, with highly ornate handles made of horn, wood, silver or ivory that were very difficult to grasp tightly. Later refinements made the strenuous job of a quick amputation a little easier on the surgeon — if not always on the patient. The beginning of the 18th century saw the emphasis shift from decorative appeal to ease of use and easier grip, thereby making saws plainer and lighter. During the Civil War, field surgeons working under the most deplorable conditions imaginable were faced with literally tens of thousands of wounded men at a time. It is unsurprising that this long, vicious war’s surgeons became notorious for the number of amputations performed on the battlefields. Heavy, soft lead bullets distorted on impact, causing large, gaping wounds filled with dirt and bits of clothing, shattering any bone they hit. War-weary surgeons, presented with these horrific wounds and the imminent onset of deadly infection chose amputation as the quickest and most successful means for saving lives, while the dismembered limbs of thousands of soldiers piled ever higher as the war raged on. Amputation kits used during this bloody conflict are in extremely high demand among collectors of medical antiques as well as Civil War buffs. Most amputation kits contain at least a saw, tourniquet, knife and suturing instruments, while many also include hooks, chisels, scalpels, spatula or interchangeable saw blades and come in portable, fitted cases. Prices are rising steadily, as examples are scooped off the market into private collections. Kits that cost $1,200 five years ago could easily command more than $5,000 today.
FIELD SURGEON AND NAVAL MEDICAL KITS
Medical instruments designed primarily to treat injuries sustained in battle have remained popular for decades and are among the most prized pieces in any collection. Naval cases used aboard warships, field surgeon’s kits, and many post-mortem kits have all garnered avid interest from collectors. The prolific development of these instruments is a poignant commentary on the numerous circumstances that necessitated their use.
