Terrifying vintage surgical tools

Terrifying Vintage Surgical Tools

Early medicine was scary to begin with, considering the lack of understanding the human body and the nature of illness. But let’s not forget the strange and terrifying old surgical tools and the lack of anesthetic. With names like the tonsil guillotine and the scarificator, surgery looked and sounded more like medieval torture.

Here are some of the surgical tools you would not have wanted to see the doctor walk in with:

Bullet Extractor (1500s)

Elongated bullet extractors could reach bullets embedded deeply in the patient’s body. Extractors like this one had a screw tip that could be inserted in the wound and lengthened to pierce the bullet so that it could be pulled out.
Bullet extractor vintage surgical tool

Amputation Knife (1700s)

Knives used for amputations during the 18th century were typically curved, because surgeons tended to make a circular cut through the skin and muscle before the bone was cut with a saw. By the 1800s, straight knives became more popular because they made it easier to leave a flap of skin that could be used to cover the exposed stump.
Amputation knife vintage surgical tool

Artificial Leech (1800s)

Bloodletting with leeches was such a popular treatment for a range of medical conditions that an artificial leech was invented in 1840 and was used frequently in eye and ear surgery. The rotating blades would cut a wound in the patient’s skin, while the cylinder would be used to produce a vacuum that sucked up the blood.

Cervical Dilator (1800s)

This instrument was used to dilate a woman’s cervix during labor, with the amount of dilation measured on the scale by the handle. Such dilators fell out of favor because they often caused the cervix to tear.
Cervical dilator vintage surgical tool

Tonsil Guillotine (1860s)

This method of removing tonsils worked much like a traditional guillotine, slicing off the infected tonsils. This “double guillotine” design meant that both tonsils could be removed at the same time. Tonsil guillotines were replaced by forceps and scalpels in the early 20th century due to the high rate of hemorrhaging and the imprecise nature of the device, which often left tonsil remnants in the mouth.
Tonsil guillotine vintage surgical tool

Circumcision Knife (1770s)

Ritual circumcision is performed around the world in varying extents and for varying reasons, but few instruments used in the process are as intimidating as this knife from 18th century Europe.
Circumcision knife vintage surgical tool

Lithotome (1740s-1830s)

The lithotome was used to slice open the bladder in order to remove stones. The shaft contained a hidden blade that was inserted into the bladder and then released using a spring handle.
Lithotome vintage surgical tool

Tobacco Smoke Enema (1750s-1810s)

The tobacco enema was used to infuse tobacco smoke into a patient’s rectum for various medical purposes, primarily the resuscitation of drowning victims. A rectal tube inserted into the anus was connected to a fumigator and bellows that forced the smoke towards the rectum. The warmth of the smoke was thought to promote respiration, but doubts about the credibility of tobacco enemas led to the popular phrase “blow smoke up one’s ass.”
Tobacco smoke enema vintage surgical tool

Hysterotome/Metrotome (1860s-90s)

The hysterotome or metrotome was used to amputate the cervix during a hysterectomy.
Hysterotome or metrotome vintage surgical tool

Hirtz Compass (1915)

The Hirtz compass was used to triangulate the path of a bullet through the body to determine where it stopped, so it could be removed with minimal poking and prodding around in the wound.
Hirtz compass vintage surgical tool

Scarificator (1910s-20s)

Scarificators were used in bloodletting. The spring-loaded blades in this device would cut into the skin, and a special rounded glass cup could be applied over the wound. When warmed, it would help draw the blood out at a faster rate.

Trephine (1800s)

A trephine was a hand-powered drill with a cylindrical blade used to bore holes into the skull to relieve pressure caused by excess fluid such as blood. The spike in the center was used to start the procedure and to hold the blade in place while cutting.

Arrow Remover (1500s)

Not much is known about this tool, but it is hypothesized that it was inserted into the wound in a contracted position, with the central shaft used to grasp the arrow. The blades, which appear to have their sharp edges facing outward, were then expanded using the scissor-like handles, thus expanding the flesh around the arrow to prevent the arrowhead from ripping through the meat as it was pulled out.
Arrow remover vintage surgical tool

Hemorrhoid Forceps (1800s)

These forceps were used to grasp a hemorrhoid between the blades and apply pressure to stop the blood supply, causing the hemorrhoid to drop off.

Amputation Saw (1600s)

While some surgeons chose to flaunt their wealth with elaborately decorated saws like this, the crevices in the intricate engravings proved to be a breeding ground for germs.
Amputation saw vintage surgical tool

Mouth Gag (1880s-1910s)

This wooden, screw-shaped mouth gag would be inserted into an anesthetized patient’s mouth to keep the airway open.
Mouth gag vintage surgical tool

Skull Saw (1830s-60s)

This hand-cranked saw’s blades were used to cut through sections of the skull, allowing for access to the brain by other, probably equally horrific surgical instruments.
Skull saw vintage surgical tool

Hernia Tool (1850s)

This unique tool was used after the restoration of a hernia. It was inserted into the body near the affected area and left there for a week to produce scar tissue that would help seal off the hernia.

Ecraseur (1870s)

The ecraseur was used to sever hemorrhoids and uterine or ovarian tumors. The chain was looped over the mass and tightened using the ratchet, stopping the circulation of blood to the area.

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Emmanuel Bukky
5 years ago

Jeeeeezzz! This surgery tools are so scary…… I like the new medical reformation.

nuelchill
nuelchill
5 years ago

Gosh! are this tools real?

In the past years, i have experienced a bone marrow surgery. I wouldn’t want to know the nature of tools the doctors used on me because i was deep gone in sleep.

But seeing this article and the nature tools, if i’m asked to return for another surgery, heaven knows i won’t see the four walls of the theater. LOL.

Nice post though!

Darr Sigilman
7 years ago

None of these devices, I don’t think, would have been so intimidating if anesthesia had been available and had been used because with anesthesia there would not have been any pain. But some of these devices were even before anesthesia was invented.

Ouch
Ouch
9 years ago

I’m surprised there was no instruments presented regarding teeth!

hannah chudasko
9 years ago

glad I live now

Nahomi González
9 years ago

That’s why I disagree with people who say they wanted to live in past times…

Anunciadora de Paz
10 years ago

I can’t even stretch my hands very well because of how this makes me feel.

Kevin
Kevin
10 years ago

I can see in 100 years people will review today’s medical practices and as great as it seems today, They will call us Barbarians too

classafied
classafied
10 years ago

if i saw those i would run and die in a hole

Joyce
Joyce
11 years ago

So scary. Oh god. This is so bizarre. ^Scarredforlifeniggas

Pharmaceutical solutions
11 years ago

What? Did they actually use those? They look like torture devices than surgical equipments.

If people start using these they will be horrified..