Appendix to Down Bros.' catalogue of surgical instruments and appliances : Octoberr 1910 / Down Bros., Ltd.

  • Down Bros. (Firm)
Date:
1910
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Appendix to Down Bros.' catalogue of surgical instruments and appliances : Octoberr 1910 / Down Bros., Ltd. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    30/264 (page 22)
    No. VARIOUS NEW FORMS OF DIRECTORS, ETC. 8583. 858.3 Directors, etc., nickel-plated,— Tlie Bristol niodol coinbinod J)irector, Probe and fine Raspatory ....... each £ s. d. 0 6 6 8584 Childe’s Metal Finger Guard ..... each 0 10 6 Extract from the “ Lancet,” April 10, 1909. Sometimes during surgical operations it is very con^■enient to cut down upon tlie finger as a guide. When, for instance, in a s-'ptic peritonitis following perforated gastric idcer it is desirable to drain the loins oi- j)('lvis the most convenient way of making a counter opiniing is to cut down from without upon the forefinger inserted in the original wound, because the j finger can feel whether anything is in the wa.y or not. If an instrument is i inserted for this purpose it may easily involve a. iiiece of intestine in the I counter-opening. Hut if the gloved finger be used unguarded counter ])uncture has to b(> nnido carefully and deliberately lest the glove and, more serious still, the finger of the surgeon beneath it be cut. Again, a large abscess may be pointing and be opened in front of the thigh. It is desired after opening it to make counter punctures for better drainage at the sides. 3’ho finger is again the most convenient guide, because it can feel exactly the most dependent point of the abscess cavity. Examjiles coidd easilj'' be nudtiplied and will occur to every surgeon. 'I’o protect the finger when thus used as a director 1 have had the finger guard, as depicted in the accom- panying illustration, made for me by Messrs. Down Hros., and have found it vei’y useful. It allows of as free flexion of the finger as if the latter were ungna.rded and it can be cufi down u]>on straight away. When used inside the abdomen the forefinger, encased in the finger guard, and the middle finger are inserted together. 'Phe latter feels that nothing is in the way, and the guarded forefinger is then cut down upon at once with a single stroke of the knife. The instrument should be made to fit the finger of the surtreon using it. Cii.AUT.KS ]’. Cmi.Di;, H..\., F.R.C.S., Eng., Senior Surgeon, Itoyal Portsmouth Hospital. 8585 Lamio’s IVritonoal Director for use over liuuer of glove on left hand (suggested by Mi’. K. Dnnglas Jainrie M. B., Ho. 8nrg., Royal Hants County Hospital) each 0 2 0