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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

Hysterotome/Metrotome (1860s-90s)

The hysterotome or metrotome was used to amputate the cervix during a hysterectomy.

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.

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.

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.

Mouth Gag (1880s-1910s)

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

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.

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.