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A200735
Vaporizer, France 

Fumes produced by the vaporizer and inhaled by the patient were claimed to treat diseases and conditions associated with the lungs and airways. These include asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough and croup. The vaporizer was for night use while the patient slept and it had to be placed on a plate to prevent it falling over and potentially starting a fire. Vaporizers were used throughout the 1700s and were a popular, relatively affordable home treatment. This example was made in France by medical manufacturing company Unis.

maker: Unis

Place made: France

Vaporizer, France

Cholera: France, 1841

Jean-Baptiste Carrier was a very unpleasant man. And on the 16th November 1794, this actual blade swiftly removed his head. In the wake of the French Revolution, Carrier had become a cruel and sadistic leader whose murderous actions were extreme even for those violent times. But eventually, he too stepped out of line and was himself sentenced to death. But, as he faced his end, why should he have had some small reason to thank a French doctor who had very different views on the nature of life and death? If you were condemned to execution by decapitation prior to 1792, you were probably in for a messy business. A sword was normally used, but if the executioner was inexperienced or the blade blunt, your head was unlikely to come off cleanly. An agonising death was guaranteed. But just two years before Carrier’s demise, doctor Joseph Ignace Guillotin advocated a ‘humane alternative’ – a never failing execution machine. Designed by fellow doctor Antoine Louis it became known as the “Guillotine” and it carried blades like this one. Guillotin had wanted to make the process short and painless, and the Guillotine was indeed incredibly efficient. But the device ensured that executions became even greater public spectacles. Ironically, Guillotin was against the death penalty and had hoped his machine would be a step along the road to abolition. So, do you think Guillotin would have been appalled at the reality of his ‘humane project’? Besides, can killing another human being ever be considered ‘humane’ or even ethical in the first place? And should doctors ever be involved in capital punishment? By the way, the guillotine was last used in France in 1977 and was not officially retired until the abolition of the death penalty there in 1981.

Guillotine blade, France, 1794

This early haemacytometer is a simple device. It consists of a microscope slide marked into squares. A blood sample was diluted and placed on the slide. The red cells in the squares are then counted through a microscope. An increase or decrease in blood cells in the blood can indicate disease within the body. A low level of red blood cells is called anemia. A high level of red blood cells is called Polycythemia. The haemacytometer was devised by French physiologist Louis-Charles Malassez. This example is the original instrument described by Malassez. It was made by Verick in Paris.

maker: Verick

Place made: Paris, Ville de Paris, Île-de-France, France

Haemacytometer, Paris, France, 1874

Force or power is measured by a dynamometer. This example measured the force of the hand. The metal gauge gives a relative reading of the force used when the two ebony handles are grasped and squeezed. The device may have been used in anthropometrical studies. In the 1800s, many anthropologists attempted to measure differences between human groups. Physical strength was mistakenly associated with a lack of intellectual development or ‘civilisation’.

maker: Collin

Place made: Paris, Ville de Paris, Île-de-France, France

Dynamometer, France, 1890-1910

The kymograph is a classic tool of laboratory research. It was invented by German physiologist Carl Ludwig (1816-1895) in 1847. One of its earliest uses was measuring blood pressure during physiological experiments. A cannula connected to a U-shaped tube filled with mercury was inserted into the artery of an animal. On top of the mercury was a float attached to a pen. As the blood pulsated, the pen recorded the movement on smoked paper wrapped around the metal drum.

The kymograph transformed experimental physiology. The graphs produced let physiologists see blood pressure on paper, giving them a permanent record of the experiment. This example was used in intricate experiments on the properties of muscles and nerves.

maker: Unknown maker

Place made: France

Kymograph, France, 1865-1875

Thumbscrews were torture instruments. They made prisoners reveal information or ‘confess’ to crimes. The thumb was placed between the screw and the metal plate at the bottom. The screw was then tightened. The thumb could be reduced to a bloody pulp if enough pressure was applied. Prisoners were also hoisted up by their thumbs. The prisoner was often subjected to the thumbscrews before even more painful forms of torture were used. These included the rack, where limbs were stretched and broken.

Thumbscrew, France, 1601-1850

Ecclesiastical divisions, France 1905.

A V.A.D. in France.

A hydrometer measures the specific gravity (or relative density) of liquids. This means the ratio of the density of the liquid to the density of water. Instruments such as this were used in the chemical analysis of substances such as urine, which could diagnose disease within the body. This type of hydrometer was designed by chemist Joseph Louis Gay Lussac (1778-1850). It is made of metal and comes in a wooden case and was made by Marcelen Compagnie of Paris. We know it was repaired in the 1820s by Jean Gabriel Augustine Chevallier of Paris because it is accompanied by a receipt.

maker: Marcelen Compagnie

Place made: Paris, Ville de Paris, Île-de-France, France

Hydrometer, France, 1810-1820

Vaginal pessaries supported a prolapsed uterus or other abnormal uterine positions. A prolapsed uterus is where the uterus has shifted down from its usual position in the abdominal cavity. The use of pessaries became widespread in the 1800s. This example is made of ivory.

maker: Unknown maker

Place made: France

Pessary, France, 1825-1835

A pelvimeter is a measuring device. It is used by obstetric physicians to measure the size of the birth canal during childbirth and to determine the stage of labour. It works like a pair of calipers. Contracting or releasing the calipers adjusts the measurements on a sliding scale. This scale is visible outside the mother’s body. Pelvimeters began being used towards the end of the1700s. They were part of the increasing medicalisation of childbirth during the 1700s. Obstetrics medicine deals with the care of pregnant women, childbirth, and the period of recovery from childbirth.

maker: Collin

Place made: Paris, Ville de Paris, Île-de-France, France

Pelvimeter, Paris, France, 1851-1900

The symbol on the helmet is a red cross in a circle, suggesting it may have been worn by a member of the French Red Cross, who would have given first aid to soldiers in the trenches during the First World War.

Trench warfare was a new way of fighting that brought fresh dangers – flying shrapnel, heavy shelling and snipers. Steel helmets were introduced into the French Army in the early months of the First World War to reduce the number of head injuries. They replaced blue serge caps, which provided little protection.

maker: Unknown maker

Place made: France

Steel helmet, France, 1914-1918

These frames are made from extremely fine steel wire. They have been heated at a high temperature to produce an oxide layer. This prevents rusting. The process is called ‘blueing’. The spectacles are light and fragile-looking. They may have been worn by a man or a woman. The x-shaped bridge or double bridge is known as the French style due to its popularity in France.

maker: Unknown maker

Place made: France

Straight spectacles, France, 1801-1920

Leather and steel foot braces such as this supported children with club foot. This condition is when the foot is turned inwards. Walking is possible, but can be difficult and extra support is needed. Braces like this one let the child walk, often with the aid of a crutch. Club foot can now usually be corrected, sometimes with surgery. Before the 20th century, children were usually only offered short-term relief.

maker: Collin

Place made: Paris, Ville de Paris, Île-de-France, France

Foot support, France, 1870-1890

The brooch is made from a number of different metals including brass, copper, lead and nickel-plated iron. The inscription translates from French as “Medical electro medal, purifies blood, cleanses bile, cures pains and rheumatism, health [is] all ruling”. It also carries the maker’s name, “E Osselin”.

The brooch was sold as a form of electrotherapeutic treatment, not dissimilar to the way copper bracelets are still used to relieve the pain of rheumatoid arthritis.

maker: Osselin, E

Place made: France

Galvanic brooch, France, 1880-1920

Meeting between the king of Prussia and the Emperor Napoleon at the Chateau Bellevue, near Sedan.

War: France and Germany, 1870.

324 pages, 1 unnumbered folded plate : illustrations ; 22 cm

De la science en France

207 pages, 1 unnumbered leaf : folded map, tables ; (4to)

Description géométrique de la France

Cannulae are thin tubes inserted into the body. They create a route for fluid delivery or removal. The three examples shown were used by French clinical researcher Édouard Hedon (1863-1933) in experiments on blood transfusions between healthy and diabetic dogs. The accompanying letter, written in French, explains the process. Hedon was investigating the role of the pancreas in alleviating symptoms of diabetes. He found the symptoms of diabetes were alleviated when the blood of a normal dog was transfused in a diabetic who had undergone a pancreatectomy (the removal of the pancreas). Hedon also proved that a total pancreatectomy was necessary for the development of diabetes. Diabetes is caused by the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin, which releases sugars from foods in the body.

Medical research using animals, particularly large mammals such as dogs, remains controversial. Hedon’s work occurred after the ‘Brown Dog Affair’. This was the un-veiling of a statue in London’s Battersea Park by anti-vivisectionists. The statue de-picted an anonymous brown dog that had died during medical experimentation. It prompted riots. Medical students removed the statue and threw it into the river Thames during one of these riots.

maker: Payr

Place made: France

Three cannulae, France, 1909-1913

7 unnumbered pages, 6-51, 80 pages, 14 unnumbered leaves of plates (6 double page) : illustrations (some color) ; 28 cm

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Vaporizer, France

Cholera: France, 1841

Guillotine blade, France, 1794

Haemacytometer, Paris, France, 1874

Dynamometer, France, 1890-1910

Kymograph, France, 1865-1875

Thumbscrew, France, 1601-1850

Ecclesiastical divisions, France 1905.

A V.A.D. in France.

Guillotine blade, France, 1794

Thumbscrew, France, 1601-1850

Guillotine blade, France, 1794

Hydrometer, France, 1810-1820

Pessary, France, 1825-1835

Pelvimeter, Paris, France, 1851-1900

Steel helmet, France, 1914-1918

Straight spectacles, France, 1801-1920

Foot support, France, 1870-1890

Galvanic brooch, France, 1880-1920

War: France and Germany, 1870.

De la science en France

Description géométrique de la France

Three cannulae, France, 1909-1913

Bookbinding in England and France

Catalogue de l'histoire de France.

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Vaporizer, France

Cholera: France, 1841

Guillotine blade, France, 1794

Haemacytometer, Paris, France, 1874

Dynamometer, France, 1890-1910

Kymograph, France, 1865-1875

Thumbscrew, France, 1601-1850

Ecclesiastical divisions, France 1905.

A V.A.D. in France.

Guillotine blade, France, 1794

Thumbscrew, France, 1601-1850

Guillotine blade, France, 1794

Hydrometer, France, 1810-1820

Pessary, France, 1825-1835

Pelvimeter, Paris, France, 1851-1900

Steel helmet, France, 1914-1918

Straight spectacles, France, 1801-1920

Foot support, France, 1870-1890

Galvanic brooch, France, 1880-1920

War: France and Germany, 1870.

De la science en France

Description géométrique de la France

Three cannulae, France, 1909-1913

Bookbinding in England and France

Catalogue de l'histoire de France.

Be the first to know

Wellcome collectionWellcome Collection

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