American Civil War Medicine & Surgical Antiques

Surgical Set collection from 1860 to 1865 - Civilian and Military

Civil War:  Medicine, Surgeon Education & Medical Textbooks

Dr. Doug Arbittier

 

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 Late 1860's J. H. Gemrig Resection Surgical Set

J. H. Gemrig was a surgical instrument maker in Philadelphia, Pa. during 1840 to 1881 in various forms (alone, with his brother, and with his son).  During the Civil War, Gemrig was a major supplier of surgical sets under contract to the Union forces. 

All dates are from the Directory of Makers and Dealers as listed by Edmonson in American Surgical Instruments: an Illustrated History:

Jacob H. Gemrig surgical instrument maker 1841-44: 48 N. 6th

1845: 49 S. 8th

1846-65: 43 S. 8th

1866-80: 109 S. 8th

This is a very unusual and rare civilian surgical set in that it is a mixture of instruments which would be found in a resection (exsecting) set (bone surgery), containing bone chisels and hammer, chain saw, Hey saw, heavy bone forceps, and bone drills.

Apparently the set was meant to supplement another set, such as a large capital surgery set.  The resection set is in almost new condition.  The rectangular space at the top of the case possibly contained splint material, but the space is not shaped for any particular instrument as is usual for specific instruments.   The odd shaped opening containing the chain saw obviously contained other parts, but again it is unknown what was meant to be in that irregular opening as there is no specific shaped depression to hold any particular instrument. 

The approximate date of the set is estimated to be in the late 1860's and perhaps the early 1870's as the case (double decorative brass wire banding) and style of the instruments points to that time frame.

The size of the mahogany case is: 3 x 5.5 x 16 inches and has a decorative brass inlay on the top side and a central key lock.

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American Civil War Medicine & Surgical Antiques

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Last update: Tuesday, July 16, 2024