Obstetrical Forceps: Used to assist the extraction of the fetus from the pelvic basin. Introduced by Dr. Paul Chamberlen, an English Barber-Surgeon, in the early 1600s. MHSNS has many different sets. MHSNS Identification Number 73-3-5a and 5b.
Artifacts
Microscope: Circa 1870.
Trephine Instruments: Used to create an opening in the skull. Introduced by H. Fabricius at Padua in Italy circa 1580. MHSNS Trephine Instruments manufactured by Savigny. MHSNS Identification Number 76-2-1.
Binaural Stethoscope: Used for listening to cardiac and respiratory sounds. Introduced by Dr. Arthur Leared in Dublin in 1851. Began to be used in Nova Scotia in the 1860s. MHSNS binaural stethoscope donor is unknown. No identification number.
Monaural Stethoscope: Used for listening to cardiac and respiratory sounds. Introduced by Dr. René Laennec in Paris circa 1816. First used in Nova Scotia by Dr. Rufus Black in 1836. MHSNS monaural stethoscope donor is unknown. MHSNS Identification Number: 73-Z-230.
Set of Amputation Instruments: Used to amputate the limbs of a patient. Introduced by the Greeks and further developed by the French Surgeon Ambrose Paré circa 1540. Includes a bone saw, several knives, and a tourniquet. MHSNS Amputation Set donated by Dr. John Stewart. Presently on loan to Parks Canada at Citadel Hill.
Femur Bone with common fracture sites noted: From the Collection of Dr. Harry Morton. No MHSNS Identification Number.
Model of female pelvis: A model showing the cross-section of the female pelvis.
Common off-the-shelf medications: (left to right) Davis and Lawrence Cod Liver Oil, Montreal. Gates’ Invigorating Syrup, C. Gates & Company, Middleton, NS. Davis and Lawrence Tasteless Cod Liver Oil, New York. Emerson’s Bromo-Seltzer for headaches and neuralgia, Toronto.
Electrocardiograph: Used to record the electrocardiogram of a patient. Introduced by Dr. Wilhelm Einthoven in Germany in 1901. First used at the VGH by Dr. Kenneth MacKenzie in the 1920s. MHSNS has a Portable Model Hindle Electrocardiograph. Manufacturer: Cambridge Instrument Co., England. MHSNS Identification Number C1.1
Domestic Medicine by Dr. William Buchan: Twenty-second edition, printed in London in 1826. Book belonged to Dr. James Primrose who practised in Nova Scotia in the early nineteenth century. His signature appears in the book.
An article on medical education: By Dr. A.P. Reid, the first Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University.
Forrest Building, Dalhousie University: Constructed during 1885 to 1887. Home of the Faculty of Medicine from 1887 to 1968.
A headlamp used in diagnosis: From the Dr. Harry S. Morton Collection, MHSNS #2019-018/001-013.
Bone Cutting Forceps: Used to grasp, manipulate, and extract bone. Introduced by French Surgeon Ambrose Paré circa 1550. MHSNS forceps donor is unknown. MHSNS Identification Numbers: 73-1-71 and S3-187.
Needle Holder: Introduced in the 1880s. From the Collection of Instruments belonging to Dr. John Stewart. MHSNS Identification Numbers 73-Z-319 and S3-120.
Rib Retractor: Used to separate ribs in thoracic surgery. Introduced by French Surgeon Theodore Truffier in 1914. MHSNS retractor donor is unknown. Manufacturer: Pilling in Philadelphia. MHSNS Identification Number: S3-108.
Pelvimeter: Used for measuring the size of the pelvis. Probably began to be used in Nova Scotia in the nineteenth century. MHSNS pelvimeter donor is unknown. MHSNS Identification number: G1-59.
Adenoid Curette: Used to scrape the pad of tissue from the back wall of the nasopharynx. MHSNS curette donor is unknown. MHSNS Identification Numbers: 73-2-35 and S3-111.
Vulsellum Forceps: Used to grasp the cervical lips in order to examine the cervix. MHSNS forceps donor is unknown. Manufacturer: Gardner & Sons, Edinburgh. MHSNS Identification Numbers: 73-Z-136 and S3-125.
Lane’s Gastro Enterostomy Forceps: Identification Numbers 76-Z-31 and S3.129.
Scalpels of various sizes: MHSNS Identification Numbers 76-2-2 and S3.1. Manufactured by Down Bros Ltd, London.
Ear, Nose, and Throat Instruments: Manufactured by Boehm, Rochester, New York.
A Color Sense Lantern: Manufactured by the Dr. C.H. Williams Company, MHSNS #OPH1.32.
Mortar and Pestle: MHSNS #P1.21.
Carbolic Acid Spray Device: Used as an early antiseptic method. Circa 1800's.
A.C. Boric Acid bottle: From the Nova Scotia Hospital Collection, MHSNS #2018-002/046-001.
Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets: From the Nova Scotia Hospital Collection, MHSNS #2018-002/044-002.
Cardiac Pacemaker and Electrode: Used to replace the natural pacemaker in the heart. Introduced by Drs. W. Bigelow and J. Hopps in Toronto in 1950. First implanted in a patient in Halifax by Dr. C.E. Kinley in the 1960s. Manufactured by Medtronic in Minneapolis. MHSNS pacemaker donated by Dr. Allan E. Marble. MHSNS Identification Number 03-2018.
Bronze Syringe Kit: Manufactured in London, MHSNS #73-Z-180a.
ENT Device: Manufactured in Germany, MHSNS #E1-21.
Dr. John L.R.Webster’s Day-Book: 1871-1884, Yarmouth, MHSNS #W-01-7.
Cautery: Manufactured by the Cameron Surgical Specialty Company, MHSNS #C2.1.
Medical Scales: With an assortment of weights.
Photograph of Members attending the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Medical Association in 1910: Building in the background is the School for the Blind, Corner of South Park Street and University Avenue in Halifax.
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