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A hernia occurs when an organ or part of the body protrudes through the muscle wall in the body. This truss is used to support a hernia in the groin. Hernias of this type are caused by physical effort, or even through excessive coughing, and were once a very common problem among labourers and the elderly. 

Today they are usually easily corrected by a simple surgical procedure, but before the National Health Service began in 1948, hernias were often left untreated, causing a great deal of pain. The truss, constructed from cloth-covered metal, was made by S Maw, Sons and Son, a surgical and medical instrument maker based in London.

maker: S Maw, Son & Sons

Place made: London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom

Double truss for the treatment of a hernia, London, England,

Etching showing a truss for femoral hernia (top picture). The diagram below shows 'Admiral Markham's sick berth'. It consists of A) sleeping place; B) dispensary; C) round-house; D) desk, over which is a sky-light; EE) drawers, etc.; abc) doors.

Truss (top); sick berth on ship (bottom), c. 1806

Advertisment for Cole's patent trusses, early 19th century

Patent for an "improved apparatus to be used as spinal, abdominal, and pelvic truss supports".

14 pages, 1 folded leaf of plates :
illustrations ;
28 cm

Specification of William Edward Newton : truss supports.

Trade card of James Lane, truss-maker, opposite Salisbury court, Fleet Street, London.

Trade card of James Lane, truss-maker, 1734

Black and white photograph of the trunk of a male patient with a lumbar hernia, showing treatment of the condition with the application of a truss.

Lumbar hernia, after treatment with a truss

Truss, Sierra Leone

From the Royal College of Surgeons' Museum (3A)

Truss, Sierra Leone from the Royal College of Surgeons Museum

White's truss pamphlet.

2 pages, 1 folded leaf of plates :
illustrations

Improved springless truss

3 pages, 1 folded leaf of plates :
illustrations

Improved truss pad

James Lane opposite Salisbury Court in Fleet Street, London. Various appliances and City of London Coat of Arms shown.

Truss-maker's trade-card

2 pages, 1 folded leaf of plates :
illustrations ;
28 cm

Specification of William Goldfinch : truss.

3 pages, 1 folded leaf of plates :
illustrations ;
28 cm

Specification of Joseph Wood : truss.

5 pages, 2 folded leaves of plates :
illustrations ;
28 cm

Specification of Charles Reader : truss.

Specification of Thomas Lewis : truss.

4 pages, 1 folded leaf of plates :
illustrations ;
28 cm

Specification of Robert Clark : truss.

An improved truss for rupture

Specification of José Luis : truss.

Specification of Christopher Easby : truss.

Specification of Michael Bowman : truss.

Specification of Pierre Féron : truss.

4 pages, 2 unnumbered folded leaves of plates :
illustrations ;
28 cm

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Double truss for the treatment of a hernia, London, England,

Truss (top); sick berth on ship (bottom), c. 1806

Advertisment for Cole's patent trusses, early 19th century

Specification of William Edward Newton : truss supports.

Trade card of James Lane, truss-maker, 1734

Lumbar hernia, after treatment with a truss

Truss, Sierra Leone from the Royal College of Surgeons Museum

White's truss pamphlet.

Improved springless truss

Improved truss pad

Truss-maker's trade-card

Specification of William Goldfinch : truss.

Specification of Joseph Wood : truss.

Specification of Charles Reader : truss.

Specification of Thomas Lewis : truss.

Specification of Robert Clark : truss.

An improved truss for rupture

Specification of José Luis : truss.

Specification of Christopher Easby : truss.

Specification of Michael Bowman : truss.

Specification of Pierre Féron : truss.

Specification of John Newling : truss.

Specification of Henry Colwell : truss.

Specification of William Crofton Moat : truss.

Specification of Theophilus Gontard : truss plates.

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Double truss for the treatment of a hernia, London, England,

Truss (top); sick berth on ship (bottom), c. 1806

Advertisment for Cole's patent trusses, early 19th century

Specification of William Edward Newton : truss supports.

Trade card of James Lane, truss-maker, 1734

Lumbar hernia, after treatment with a truss

Truss, Sierra Leone from the Royal College of Surgeons Museum

White's truss pamphlet.

Improved springless truss

Improved truss pad

Truss-maker's trade-card

Specification of William Goldfinch : truss.

Specification of Joseph Wood : truss.

Specification of Charles Reader : truss.

Specification of Thomas Lewis : truss.

Specification of Robert Clark : truss.

An improved truss for rupture

Specification of José Luis : truss.

Specification of Christopher Easby : truss.

Specification of Michael Bowman : truss.

Specification of Pierre Féron : truss.

Specification of John Newling : truss.

Specification of Henry Colwell : truss.

Specification of William Crofton Moat : truss.

Specification of Theophilus Gontard : truss plates.

Be the first to know

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