Collecting Medical Antique Instruments

From Dr. Laurie Slater

Even a current day surgeon would have difficulty fathoming this instrument from the 1850s. The various wooden slots were placed within different fascial planes in the center of the hernia incision and the resultant inflammatory reaction would cause scarring which was meant to provide a strong barrier to the hernia recurring.

It probably did not work! In collecting terms this makes it even more interesting, partly as a folly and partly because there was only a brief window of maybe 5-10 years when it was used after which no more were made ... so they are very rare.