Artist/Maker

Charriere, Joseph Frederic

Place Made

Date Made

1840-1876

Medium

ebony, steel

Dimensions

LOA 12

Accession Number

3633.9

Description

Trephine auger; saw with ebony handle and steel shaft – which curves in the middle creating a handle; smooth crown with jagged teeth-like blades for cutting; also having a center pin-like blade for grounding the device when rotating.

History

This particular trephine was made by Joseph Frederic Charriere (1803-1876) a great maker of medical instruments in Paris. He is most noted for the invention of the “cross-legged forceps in 1840 c., which could act as a clamp and inaugurated a new era of artery forceps.” (Bennion, p.67) He also manufactured the spring catch, and tonsillectomy instruments.

TREPHINE: The trephine device was often used to remove pieces of bone from the cranium or to reduce swelling. It “was a conical piece of metal with a circular serrated edge at the base making it into a form of saw which could cut a circular groove. A centre pin kept it in place while it was worked and we are told it was necessary to plunge it into cold water at frequent intervals because of frictional heat.” (Bennion, p.29)

Credit Line

Gift of Dr. John Monroe