Surgeon's Tool Kit
Date: 1861-1901 American Civil War
Inventory Number: MUS-117-0042
Classification: Case
Dimensions:
10.2 × 14 × 31.8 cm (4 × 5 1/2 × 12 1/2 in.)
Accessories: case;
Description:
This Surgical Tool Kit is a case holding surgical instruments for surgeons in the 1850s.
This case contains surgical tools (5); spare parts (2) that a surgeon used to operate on soldiers during the American Civil War.
This case contains surgical tools (5); spare parts (2) that a surgeon used to operate on soldiers during the American Civil War.
In Collection(s)
InscribedGemrig Maker; Philidelphia; NO.43 South 8th ST
FunctionThe object is a Surgeon's tool kit. It is designed to hold a physicians tools and store them in an easy to use way. These tools were used to attend to wounded soliders on the battlefield. Each tool performed a separate role, but would have been used by an officer with the rank of Assitant Surgeon during the American Civil War (1861-1865.)
Historical AttributesCivil War Medicine
Curatorial RemarksThis object is in pretty bad shape. The interior condition is falling apart. The leather has held up well but is still in rough shape. Some of the fabric is beginning to deteriorate. The poor condition of the tools is also contributing to the deterioration of the velvet. The surgical tools are rusted and have a distinct smell to them. They potentially still have germs on them, which have probably died and are no longer harmful to the handler. However, the germs still pose a risk to deterioration. The exterior leather is also beginning to deteriorate due to wear and tear.
The Date Range indicated the use of the case by a physician during his lifetime.
The Date Range indicated the use of the case by a physician during his lifetime.
ProvenanceDr. Bodman purchased these tools before he enlisted in the Indiana Infantry of the Union Army during the American Civil War. He used these tools during and after the war. He passed them down to his son, Joseph Foster Bodman, Sr. who passed them down to his son Joseph Foster Bodman, Jr.. They are the current possesion of Dr. James Micheal Herrington, Dr. Bodman's fourth great grandson.