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late 16th century mouth gag. A similar instrument,
Paré's mouth gag C 1570 from the Royal College of
Surgeons of England is shown on page 212 of Elizabeth
Bennion's "Antique Medical Instruments". The thread of
the screw is reversed at its centre so that turning
the fixed wing nuts opens or closes both handles at the
same time. Having the fulcrum so close to the blades
allowed considerable force to be applied through this
mechanism. It would have been used to pry open the
mouths of patients with lockjaw who might not
otherwise be fed and would also have been used as a
dental mouth gag. Note the heart shaped makers mark on
one of the handles. |
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