(from Surgeons’ Hall Museum, Edinburgh)
One of the earliest published descriptions of this instrument (possibly the earliest), was by a famous Scottish surgeon-anatomist who collected examples from other surgeons and made modifications.
What is the instrument called, what was it used for and who was the surgeon ?
Clue – his portrait hangs in Surgeons’ Hall, Edinburgh, venue of the BSHM September Congress
submitted by Iain Macintyre
Tooth Key, to extract teeth, Alexander Monro descibed it in “Medical Essays and Observations” c.1732-44
Yes – absolutely correct Kevin
One of the disadvantages of this devise was that it sometimes loosened the teeth adjacent to the “target”
That article by Alexander Monro primus is available here. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=ucm.532912666x;view=1up;seq=459
In this he names the other surgeons who have sent him examples and the modifications he made to them. He also considers it a better instrument than the pelican which fell out of favour
Well, if its a choice between the key and the pelican?