REMARKABLE HOME MEDICINE CHEST, English, 17th /18th century with probably later carving. The 15-1/2" x 13" x 6" (39 x 33 x 15 cm) oak fall-front wall or table chest has two shelves, the upper one buttressed supporting two drawers. Some of the hardware has certainly been changed over the years, but there remains a fine early shaped brass lockplate with working key. Overall condition is fine, noting a few age cracks.

Such early chests are rare, but the extraordinary feature of this one is the carving (rather in the Arts and Crafts style) on the front and two sides. Raised leaves, geometric banners and symbolic crosses are interwoven with the raised letters "He giveth medicine to heal their sickness. Acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. / And now Lord what is our hope truly our hope is even in Thee."

A fascinating marriage of the curative powers of science and of religion. (7427) $6500.

MORITZ IMMISCH'S PATENT SKIN THERMOMETER, English, c.1885, signed "Maw, London, #10742, Patent." Measuring 1" (2.5 cm) diameter in its silvery watch case with hinged metal outer case, the thermometer reads from 68° to 113°F. (and 20­45° C.) with a precision needle indicator. The finest divisions are to 1/5°F. Patented in 1882, the thermometer was reliable, convenient, safe, and fast-acting. Immisch wrote "The action of the instrument depended on the opening and closing of a metallic tube which is filled with highly expansive liquids..." A rare instrument, in very fine working condition. (7437) $750.

FRENULUM SNIPS, probably French, 19th century. In this case a pair of 4-1/4" (11 cm) long steel scissors are mounted with a silver housing with triangular window. This aperture is placed around the frenulum, which the spring-handled scissors truncate niftily. Very rare, and in fine condition.

Some individuals are born with a "tongue-tie," ankyloglossia, that is with a very short frenulum, preventing "normal" extension of the tongue. The surgical cure was to snip it just after delivery, although it seems that in many patients the condition resolves itself automatically by age 4 as the tip of the tongue grows. A most rare specialty surgical instrument for "tongue-tie." (7417) $550.

THE "ATTRACTIF DESTANQUES" ‹ A SORT OF DENTAL PELICAN OF MECHANICAL COMPLEXITY, French, c. 1865, stamped "Mathieu a Paris" and ³Attractif d'Estanque, B'vt. S.G.D.G.," and stamped with a maker's mark and "26" and internally numbered "5." Finely shaped of steel, the device measures 9-1/4" (23.5 cm) overall, and features a spring-loaded grip activating a mechanical retraction of the upper serrated jaw. It is a nearly parallel motion, guided by linear slots, and brings the jaws together smoothly and securely. An adjustable spring arm controls tension between the jaws ‹ a desirable feature because the tool provides enormous leverage. A swiveling flap allows the three-tyned upper jaw to be quickly replaced by a two-tyned one. Condition is fine noting light staining to the steel.

D'Estanque's instrument is of remarkable complexity, and remarkable rarity. It was offered in the Mathieu catalogue, and one is illustrated in Elisabeth Bennion's Antique Dental Instruments (plate 65). She writes: "An extremely complicated type of pelican with two handles was that designed by Eugene d'Estanque and patented by him in 1861. He illustrated it in L'Union Medicale in 1864 and it was made by Charriere and Mathieu with considerable mechanical skill...." (7397) $4950.

FULL RANGE OF FOLDING BISTOURIES, SCALPELS, LANCETS, AND KNIVES, French, c. third quarter 19th century, all signed "Luer," a uniform set of 23 instruments showing the wide variety produced by this famous Parisian firm. Ranging from 3" to 4-1/4" (7.5 - 11 cm) long (closed), they are constructed with exquisitely patterned tortoiseshell bodies housing polished steel blades with locking / latching mechanisms. Some have gilt brass linings beneath the tortoiseshell. There are single and double ones, exhibiting all manner of blades curved and straight, long and short, sharp and blunt pointed, even hatchet shaped. Several blades have removable silver sheaths, spring-loaded to function as a bistoury cache. There are various locking mechanisms, sliding, latching, and hinged. All are in excellent as new, unused condition, noting only two small chips to the tortoiseshell.

The instruments came to us via descent from the original collection of exhibition pieces made and held by the Luer firm, being their finest productions, shown at the great national and international exhibitions of the 19th century. An exceptional set. (9485) $5500./ the set.

FOWLER'S CURVED URETHRAL SOUNDS, American, c. 1885, signed on the case label "C.E. Riker, 1227 Broadway, N.Y." This is a complete set of six double-ended finely-polished metal sounds in graduated sizes, all contained in the original 12-3/8" (31 cm) long leather bound wood case. Condition is very fine, the case exterior a bit rough.

An identical set is listed in a late 19th century Sharp and Smith catalogue, as "Dr. Fowler's set of sounds" having "the regular Van Buren curve and taper." They are designed for dilating the male urethral canal, for locating strictures, and for sounding the presence of stones.

Charles E. Riker is listed at this NY address from 1880 until 1894 (see Edmonson). (9373) $595.

ELABORATE ELECTRO-MEDICAL SET, French, c. 1900, signed on the box "Electricite, Madame Taberlet, Paris," on the galvanometer face "Charles Chardin, Paris," and numbered "B127." The 11" x 6-1/4" x 3-3/8" (28 x 16 x 9 cm) fine wood box opens out to reveal three batteries behind glazed windows, 11 connecting posts (labeled "+," and 1 to 10), a magnetic compass galvanometer with conversion table between degrees and milliamperes, and fitted compartments for the connecting wires, hand grips, conducting roller ball, and electric needles. Condition is very fine noting one small accessory lacking. A handsome, elaborate, and rather unusual electromedical outfit. (7466) $1150.

THE CHROMORADIOMETRE OF DR. H. BORDIER, French, c. 1910, contained in the original 6-5/8" x 5-1/8" (17 x 13 cm) fitted case lined in red silk and red velvet. The device was made by "Maison S. Maury, 7 Quai Claude-Bernard, Lyon," and consists of a printed card in a glazed gilt metal frame with suspension chain. Six colored paper windows are pasted along a central slot in the card, and a considerable supply of small comparison test disks are included. Condition is very fine and all original.

In use one glues a disk to the patient's skin or other tissue, irradiates with x-rays, and compares the disk's color with the standards along the slot, as a measure of dosage. The disks are made of barium platinocyanide, which changes color progressively from green to dark yellow-orange as a result of irradiation.

An early attempt to quantize radiation dosage, this was apparently the first commercial dosimeter. (9430) $1150.

THE MADDOX AXIS-FINDER, FOR ASTIGMATIC EYEGLASS LENSES, English, c. 1900, signed "Maddox Cylinder-Axis Finder, Botwright & Grey, London." This 4" (10 cm) wide boxwood plate is fitted with a brass index arm reading against a 0(1)180 degree scale. A straight slot is bordered by a 0(1)9 linear scale plus edge groove. Condition is very fine. In use one places the frame of eyeglasses along the groove, and tilts the whole assembly to the right or left while viewing a distant vertical straight line through the eyeglass lens. The angle (measured on the inclinometer scale) at which distortion of the line disappears, gives the cylinder axis of the astigmatic lens. The inventor was the famous Dr. Ernest E. Maddox, an ingenious ophthalmologist with an international reputation. Botwright and Grey may have been the sole makers of this device, which was advertised by the Geneva Optical Co. of Geneva, New York. A later version is found in early 20th century John Weiss & Son London catalogues. (9372) $295.

FOOT-BINDING IN CHINA, first half 20th century, this life-size cast (or model) of a foot measuring 6-3/4" (17 cm) long, formed apparently of hard plaster with a heavy shellac coat. It is a left foot, and shows the large toe extending forward, the other toes curled under the foot as grown during years of constant tight binding. Condition is very fine.

This particular object was acquired in China, probably in the second quarter of the 20th century, by a Western physician who traveled and worked there. The process of foot binding was practiced in China, especially among the upper classes, from the 10th century onwards until banned in 1912. One estimate is that a grand total of two billion women had had their feet bound. The process was painful, involving breaking the bones of the arches and toes of the young girl's feet, then keeping them tightly wrapped as they developed. The resulting "lotus" shape was considered highly desirable, an object of beauty and the cause of the sexually attractive "Lotus Gait" swaying walk that resulted. (9452) $950.

SMALL AMPUTATION SAW BY THE BEST, French, last quarter 18th century, signed "Grangeret, Paris" and with the maker's "crowned-H" stamp. Measuring only 11-1/2" (29 cm) overall, the saw is finely shaped of polished steel, set with a 5" (13 cm) long blade, a "butterfly" blade-tightening nut, and a fine eight-sided pistol grip handle of ebony. Condition is very fine with traces of old stains. The maker was Pierre Grangeret (c. 1731 - 1802), master cutler, recipient of the "crowned-H" mark in 1772, recorded as cutler to Louis XVI. This saw is a good example of Grangeret's superior craftsmanship -- it is comfortable in the hand, with good heft and balance, it is esthetically a pleasure to look at, and it seems eminently functional. It has an unusual diminutive size, clearly designed for younger patients or for finger amputations. (8469) $1350.

DRAMATIC OPTOMETRIST'S SIGN, French, c. early 20th c., the red grain-painted wood frame measuring 10-3/4" x 14-3/4" (27 x 37 cm), the glass panel backed with reflective material and reverse-painted or -printed in color, showing fitted eyeglasses, a cross-section of the eye, and the message "Execution Rapide des Ordonnances de M'rs. les Oculistes". It is signed in the corner, for the patented process "Luicolor B'te. S.G.D.G., 339 rue des Pyrenees, Paris." To the reverse is a hinged card support, as though to stand the sign in a window display. The reflective striations of the background give the sign a dramatic quality as one walks by. Condition is fine throughout. (8378) $1950.

CHEEK RETRACTOR, American, c. 1900, bearing the "SWS" logo of the S.S. White Dental Mfg. Co. of Philadelphia. Measuring 5-1/2" (14 cm) overall, this dental device has a very smoothly recurved pulling surface, and a lovely grained turned wood handle. Unusual, and in excellent condition. (9445) $220.

UNCOMMON DENTAL SET, French, c. 1875, signed in the case "H. Galante a Paris" and "Galante, Instruments de Chirurgie, 2 rue de l'Ecole de Medecine, Paris," and on the major instruments (toothkey and two forceps) "Galante." This fine set comprises eleven tools, plus a small turned ebony box and an auxiliary tooth key claw of larger size. The eight-sided tapered wood handles are ebony; the lovely tooth key handle is turned horn. The full set is contained in its original 8" x 10" x 1-5/8" (20 x 25 x 4 cm) wood case covered in black fabric and lined with red chamois, complete with original key. The set is complete and all original, with the possible exception of the elevator. Condition is very fine throughout. The maker was Henri Galante, established in Paris in 1851. Catalogues are known from 1853 to 1885 (see Davis and Dreyfuss), and the firm had representatives in London and in Naples. A rare example of a cased French dental operating set. (7439) $2950.

SPECTACULAR EXHIBITION OPHTHALMIC SURGERY SET, French, c. 1860, boldly signed twice on the box and minutely on many of the instruments "Charriere a Paris." The black leather covered wood case measures 11" x 8" x 2" (28 x 20 x 5 cm), the edges with gilt bands. The interior is lined in luxurious green watered silk and green velvet, with gilt brass straps and hinges, and ivory knobs. The lower level is complete with 25 ophthalmic surgical tools with iridescent mother-of-pearl handles, gold or gilt ferrules, and polished steel blades, hooks, probes, etc., all different. Notable is the precision thumb-activated pincers (the serretelle of Dr. Desmarres, for operating on secondary cataracts) with its contrasting blued steel and gilt fittings. The lid is only half full, with nine original ophthalmic tweezers, forceps, clamps, etc., all exquisite in polished steel with gilt and blued fittings. All is original, and the condition is excellent noting only that the lid is very slightly warped.

The unused near-mint exhibition state of this set is attested to by the presence of various original retaining clips and the bold signed retaining strap, holding pieces in place. This set figured in the pedagogic museum of Maison Charriere, where the finest examples of their creations were deposited. This "historic collection" was a place where the showcases would be opened to young surgeons and their students, who could inspect and manipulate the rarest and the latest developments in their field. It had been proposed by Frederic Charriere as early as 1844; to translate from his notice of 1851, "(it) will present the methodical classification of my historic collection of old and modern instruments forming the complete arsenal of instrumental surgery assembled at great cost and classed by order of operations. This collection will be permanently housed under glass in a special room open to students and foreigners." Charrière even discussed having two formal instructive seances weekly (see Drulhon, Frederic Charriere, Fabricant d'Instruments de Chirurgie, 2008.) One of the most beautiful ophthalmic surgical sets we have seen and in the finest condition. (9382) $14,500.

THE "RHYTHMOGRAMM" CALCULATOR, Swiss, second quarter 20th century, signed "Bioritmo," stamped "Swiss Made," and copyrighted by Hans Fruh, Zurich, 1932. Constructed in what closely resembles a period camera body, complete with simulated black fishskin covering, black metal framework, bright plated winding knobs, internal viewing window, and internal paper scroll, the device measures 6-3/8" x 3-1/2" x 1-3/8" (16 x 9 x 3.5 cm) overall. The knobs pull a scroll printed with all (birth) dates throughout the year, plus male and female numbers, etc., visible through a glazed viewing window. A window on the opposite side reveals three printed colored bands showing periodicities of 23, 28, and 33 days, the bands driven independently by three knobs. The calculator provides semi-scientific or should we say pseudo-scientific biorhythm predictions based on one's birthdate, etc. In excellent condition, complete with the original heavy card carrying case. (8303) $750.

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