20th Century Instruments and Pharmaceuticals

During the wars of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, field surgeons needed to be able to travel quickly and lightly at the scenes of battles. They carried the tools of their trade in elongated oblong wooden boxes, performing surgeries on wounded soldiers on the battlefields and in the field hospitals. This surgical field case contains scalpels and knives of various sizes, several hooks, a bone saw, suture needles, and varying types of forceps. The instruments in this case were most likely used for amputations and dissections at the turn of the 20th century. The case measures 11" x 4½" x 2½".

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For larger view, click on photo		As medical knowledge and understanding advanced during the early years of the 20th century, drugs that were more effective than previous therapeutic regimens were developed. This medicine case dates to approximately 1926, and belonged to Dr. Frank Putman. He practiced medicine in Hawaii for many years in the first half of the 20th century, and during WWI, he was in charge of surgery at the Ft. Shafter hospital. Dr. Putman's bag measures 10½" x 4½" x 3¾".	Contents of Dr. Putman's Bag
			Urotropin Barbital Salicylic Acid Bromide Calomel Iron, Arsenic and Strychnine Cascara Sagrada Pepsin Aloin, Belladonna, Strychnine & Cascara Phenacetine Salol	Castor Oil Alcohol Adrenalin ampules Camphor Sodium Codeine Amytal Phenacetine & Salol Strychnine Racebo Opium and Lead Acetate Corrective for Infants Aspirin

Physician's bags were made of different materials and came in different dimensions. The size and shape of the bags generally depended upon the type of medicine practiced by the physician. Obstetrical bags were longer and narrower in shape than most other bags due to the instruments that were housed in them, such as forceps. This bag measures 16½" x 5½" x 6".

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For larger view, click on photo

This leather medicine case dates to approximately 1954, and was made at Molokai Ranch for Dr. J.I.F. Reppun. It measures 10¼" x 3¾" x 3". Some of the bottles have slips of paper in them, with the names and expiration dates of the drugs written on them. Dr. Reppun practiced medicine in Hawaii for many years.

Contents of Dr. Reppun's Case

Chloromycetin
Bulocol
Aspirin
Dextro Propoxyphene and Acetylsalic Acid compound
Butisol Sodium
Marax
Nembutol
Librium
Long acting PB2
Benadryl
Phenobarbital
Secanol
Ergotrate

The otoscope was invented in the mid-nineteenth century, allowing physicians to have better access to seeing inside the ear. Powered by electricity by the middle of the twentieth century, the otoscope remains an important instrument in diagnosing aural complications.

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The first binaural stethoscope was invented by New York physician G.P. Cammann, during the mid-nineteenth century. The two earpieces allowed for sounds of the heart and lungs to be heard with both ears, and the rubber tubing allowed for the physician to move the bell of the stethoscope around the patient's chest easily. The binaural stethoscope, like all medical instruments, has gone through many changes over the past century and a half. The bell on the stethoscope on the left can be unscrewed and replaced by another bell. This stethoscope was manufactured by Misdom Frank, in Germany, and dates to the 1940s.

Physicians' bags front page
19th century instruments and pharmaceuticals

First Posted: February 9, 2001