cautery machine
Date: 1920-1940
Inventory Number: 2009-1-0049
Classification: Electrocautery Machine
Subject:
User: Harvard Medical School (founded 1782)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
18.8 x 25.5 x 15.9 cm (7 3/8 x 10 1/16 x 6 1/4 in.)
Accessories: in drawer: cautery pistol with cord and plug (1), cauterizing points (8) (two cauterizing points in plastic tubes, six without plastic tubes, and two empty plastic tubes)
Description:
The base of the cautery machine resembles a rectangular wooden box and has one pull-out drawer which holds cautery accessories. Attached to the top of this box is a second trapezoidal wooden structure which houses the control panel. The black metal control panel includes an OFF/ON switch and two knobs to control the cautery instruments and lights. On the bottom of the control panel there are two two-pronged input regions - one for cautery instruments and one for lights. There is an indicator light on the front of the machine as well. The entire instrument can be lifted via the metal handles on each side of the control panel. In the back of the instrument there is a space for the power cord.
Signedback metal plate: 110 VOLTS 50-60 CYCLES / WATTS 200 CAT.N0. 920 / C.E.S.A. APR NO. 4418 / NATIONAL ELECTRIC INSTR. CO., INC. / L.I., N.Y. MADE IN U.S.A.;
on plastic tube: CAT NO. 0419300 / BURTON DIV / 7922 Haskell Ave / Van Neys, Ca 91406
on plastic tube: CAT NO. 0419300 / BURTON DIV / 7922 Haskell Ave / Van Neys, Ca 91406
FunctionA cautery machine is used in the process of cauterization, or the use of heat, chemicals, or electric current to burn and destroy tissues. Physicians often used cautery machines in electrosurgery to stop bleeding or to cut tissue. This particular instrument uses electricity to cauterize. It is likely that it heats the cauterizing points via electricity (although some electrocautery machines used the cauterizing points to conduct electrical current into tissues).
Curatorial RemarksTo open the drawer pull out firmly.
ProvenanceGift from Dr. Reiner Beeuwkes, Professor Emeritus, Harvard Medical School, Department of Physiology, Boston, MA. Twenty years ago he rescued this instrument from HMS, Department of Physiology.