2002/36/5

This is a scraper, a tool used for removing tartar from animals' teeth. 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 // 2002/36/5 // [image] // SCRAPER; FOR TARTAR // See TR CXL P2/B1, p.113, fig.621 // Ebony handle with octagonal grip and domed based; metal shaft narrowing towards end; flat head with bevelled edges and one end pointed to form 'scraper' // 14.3cm (total length // 2.3 x 1.1cm (length of head x width of head) // For scraping tartar from teeth, presumably animals'.', 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