Tonsillotomes

In the west wing of the attic are numerous medical items. Most of these items may have been found in a physician’s office decades ago. Upon rummaging in a box of medical instruments I found these two items that were listed as Tonsillotomes. These instruments were used to remove tonsils back in the early 1900’s.

“These tools have three sections to it. The bottom section is straight with a hollow circle at the end of it. Attached to the top of it is the middle section. The middle section is the same, however it is a bit shorter and has two round hollow handles attached to its side. There is also a groove in the middle section that allows for adjustment. The top section is long and straight. At the end of the top section there are small pitchfork like needles used for stabbing the tonsils”1

From inspecting these tools, the doctor would insert the working end into the back of the mouth, insert the tonsil through the double rings, pierce it with the forks, pull the upper ring which has a blade, cutting the tonsil, thus removing it.

Sounds awful doesn’t it? Be comforted in knowing that’s not the way it’s done any longer. With advanced medical technologies, more modern surgical techniques are used that are more efficient, preventing complications. To look into this subject, refer to the wikipedia link listed below.


1 Accession record # 80-08-14

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonsillectomy