04-13-2012, 04:14 AM
I have recently acquired a set of roman surgical instruments from Steve Wagstaff and a few other traders, both at the IRM and before.
Reading through the ancient sources I came across few questions:
Celsius, in VII.33 described amputation to stop the spread of gangrene: "Therefore, between the sound and the diseased part, the flesh is to be cut through with a scalpel[1] down to the bone, but this must not be done actually over a joint, and it is better that some of the sound part should be cut away than that any of the diseased part should be left behind. 2 When the bone is reached, the sound flesh is drawn back from the bone [2] and undercut from around it, so that in that part also some bone is bared; the bone is next to be cut through with a small saw [3] as near as possible to the sound flesh which still adheres to it; next the face of the bone, which the saw has roughened, is smoothed down[4], and the skin drawn over it; this must be sufficiently loosened in an operation of this sort to cover the bone all over as completely as possible. The part where the skin has not been brought over is to be covered with lint[5]; and over that a sponge soaked in vinegar [6] is to be bandaged on [7]. The remaining treatment is that prescribed for wounds in which suppuration is to be brought about.
[1] Scalpel: check, will get more sizes, though.
[2] Sharp Hook: check. I assume a sharp hook will be used rather than a blunt one.
[3] Saw (in two sizes): check.
My questions now revolve around [4]-[7]
Most importantly, what instrument would be used for [4], smoothing the sawed? bone? Some kind of nailfile? Has anything of this kind been identified?
[5] and [7] Are there any special types of Roman lint and bandages? If so, does anyone offer them for sale?
[6] I assume we are speaking here about the sea-dwelling sponge, which should be available at stores dealing with bodycare? Vinegar, at least, is readily available, but, how does it affect the sponge?
Reading through the ancient sources I came across few questions:
Celsius, in VII.33 described amputation to stop the spread of gangrene: "Therefore, between the sound and the diseased part, the flesh is to be cut through with a scalpel[1] down to the bone, but this must not be done actually over a joint, and it is better that some of the sound part should be cut away than that any of the diseased part should be left behind. 2 When the bone is reached, the sound flesh is drawn back from the bone [2] and undercut from around it, so that in that part also some bone is bared; the bone is next to be cut through with a small saw [3] as near as possible to the sound flesh which still adheres to it; next the face of the bone, which the saw has roughened, is smoothed down[4], and the skin drawn over it; this must be sufficiently loosened in an operation of this sort to cover the bone all over as completely as possible. The part where the skin has not been brought over is to be covered with lint[5]; and over that a sponge soaked in vinegar [6] is to be bandaged on [7]. The remaining treatment is that prescribed for wounds in which suppuration is to be brought about.
[1] Scalpel: check, will get more sizes, though.
[2] Sharp Hook: check. I assume a sharp hook will be used rather than a blunt one.
[3] Saw (in two sizes): check.
My questions now revolve around [4]-[7]
Most importantly, what instrument would be used for [4], smoothing the sawed? bone? Some kind of nailfile? Has anything of this kind been identified?
[5] and [7] Are there any special types of Roman lint and bandages? If so, does anyone offer them for sale?
[6] I assume we are speaking here about the sea-dwelling sponge, which should be available at stores dealing with bodycare? Vinegar, at least, is readily available, but, how does it affect the sponge?
M. Caecilius M.f. Maxentius - Max C.
Qui vincit non est victor nisi victus fatetur
- Q. Ennius, Annales, Frag. XXXI, 493
Secretary of the Ricciacus Frënn (http://www.ricciacus.lu/)
Qui vincit non est victor nisi victus fatetur
- Q. Ennius, Annales, Frag. XXXI, 493
Secretary of the Ricciacus Frënn (http://www.ricciacus.lu/)
