2002/36/3

This is a trephine, a surgical veterinary tool used for removing portions of the skull to relieve pressure on the brain (trepanning). It was found by the donor at Elphick's veterinary practice in Newcastle when he purchased the practice in 1951. He was a general vet and horse vet, and treated pit ponies in the Northumberland/Durham area until he retired in 1975.

1 veterinary instrument: metal(1) Tourniquet (Foulis'): made from polished ebony; oval in cross-section, with two holes running lengthways through it - one in the centre and one to the side; no inscription; 3 x 3 x 2.5cm (length x width x depth); would be used with a rubber tube [which is missing] to raise an animal's vein; (See catalogue TR CXL P2/B1, p.66, fig. 335) (2) Tourniquet: made from polished ebony; barrel-shaped and with two holes running widthways through it - one in the middle and one to the side; inscribed at one end 'Brirish Make'; 3 x 2.5 x 2cm (length x width at end x depth at end); would be used with rubber tube [missing] to raise an animal's vein. (3) Trephine[?]: small, metal, elongated instrument with crown-saw head; at opposite end is fluted sphere; inscribed '22'; 7 x 0.5cm (length x diameter of head); if it is a trephine, it is used for removing portions of the skull to relieve brain from pressure; (See catalogue TR CXL P2/B1, p.63) (4) Weight: made of brass; crescent-shaped; staple in middle of concave side; flattened in middle of convex side; 4 x 1.2cm (length x height); according to depositor, for attaching to tape measure and used for measuring horses. (5) Tartar scraper: ebony handle with octagonal grip and domed base; metal shaft narrowing towards top; flat head with bevelled edges and one side pointed to form scraping edge; 14.3cm (total length); head - 2.3 x 1.1cm (length x width); used for scraping tartar from teeth, presumably for animal use; (See catalogue TR CXL P2/B1, p.113, fig. 621). (6) Hey's saw: ebony handle textured on each side with lattice pattern; affixed to metal shaft with three rivets; head consists of two sawing edges - one axe-shaped, the other rounded; head has some rust present; 16cm (total length); head - 4.5 x 3.3cm (length x max. width); according to Arnold & Sons catalogue, part of a trephining set for sawing through bone of skull; (See catalogue TR CXL P2/B1, p.62, fig. 314). (7) Hey's saw: same handle and shaft as

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS (MISCELLANEOUS) // Description // 11 miscellaneous items: // 1. Tourniquet (Foulis'), part // 2. Tourniquet (Foulis'), part // 3. Trephine [?] // 4. Weight for tape measure // 5. Scraper, tartar // 6. Saw, Hey's - part of trephining set // 7. Saw, Hey's - part of trephining set // 8. Forceps [tissue?] // 9. Trocar? // 10. [Unknown] // 11. [Unknown] // SEE SEPARATE SHEET FOR DETAILS. // ... Associated information // See 2002/27 // References // See Arnold & Sons catalogue (TR CXL P2/B1)', MERL miscellaneous note - '['SURGICAL' scored through]/VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS (MISCELLANEOUS) // 2002/36/1-11 // 2002/36/3 // [image] // TREPHINE ? // See TR CXL P2/B1, p. 63 // Metal, elongated instrument with toothed head (crown-saw). At opposite end is fluted sphere. Inscribed '22' // 7 x 0.5cm (length x diameter of toothed head) // For removing portions of the skull to relieve brain from pressure.', MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) [2002/27] – '... // W. G. Blythman was born in 1926 and trained as a vet at Edinburgh from 1943-48. He purchased Elphick's veterinary practice in Newcastle in 1951 for £1,000. The practice was started by Clement Stephenson in 1918 - one of the first fellows of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Originally, the practice specialised in street horses. It had 10 forges because the business combined a farriery & veterinary practice. // Stephenson financed part of the School of Agriculture at Newcastle University in the early 20th century. He also became Vice-President of the Veterinary Association. // Blythman was a general vet and horse vet. He used to treat pit ponies in the Northumberland/Durham area. He was also a racecourse vet for 44 years. He retired in 1975.', MERL miscellaneous note - 'Collection of veterinary instruments and associated material // Deposited by William Grant Blythman, BSc, MRCVS, on 7th September 2002 // Acc. No. Name of Item // 2002/36/1-11 Surgical/veterinary instruments (miscellaneous)... // These items were found by W. G. Blythman at Ephick's veterinary practice in 1951....'

1918 - 1951