Top: Dr. Horace Wells Day Book, May 13, 1841 - November 5, 1845.
Left: H. Wells, An Essay on Teeth, Case, Tiffany & Co., Hartford, 1838
Right: G.Q. Colton, A True History of the Discovery of Anaesthesia, A. G. Sherwood & Co., N.Y. 1896
Dr. Wells' Day Book is open on the page indicating the March 4, 1844 entry: 'To operations on teeth and instruction in the Art of Dentistry per agreement $40.00', addressed to Dr. W.T.G. Morton and notarized by H.L. Rider, Notary. See lower right area of opened Day Book.

Cased military surgeon's kit, 1777; contains both curved and straight amputating knives and small saw.
Belonging to Peter Turner, M.D., Surgeon, 1st Rhode Island Regiment, March 15, 1777, and Charles Green, M.D., Surgeon, Hospital Department, 1777-1781.

Cased surgical set belonging to Pinchney Webster Ellsworth, M.D., c. 1860. Mfg: Goudling & Co., N.Y. Bone saw with serrations was a later development to prevent clogging of teeth; handles of instruments made of ivory. Trephinning instruments may be seen just to the right of the tourniquet and bite block. Dr. Ellsworth was born in Hartford (1814). His father was W.W. Ellsworth, Governor of Connecticut, and his grandfather, Oliver Ellsworth, the third Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

This photograph and the next comprise a cased surgical set c. 1840, manufactured by W.F. Ford, N.Y. This photograph represents the upper tray of the surgical unit and contains an amputation saw, Liston* knives (with fixed and removable handles), bowel scissors, mallets, etc.

*Robert Liston (1794-1847) was Professor of Clinical Surgery, University College, London. He introduced techniques for amputation, jaw excision and laryngoscopy.

Accompanies previous photograph. Represents lower half of surgical, cased set containing apparatus for the reduction of dislocations, apothecary scale and weights and razor strop.

Set of cupping instruments with valved glasses; lined, wood case not shown. Included in this set are a thirteen bladed scarifcator (center) and two lancets. Used to draw blood to the surface of the skin. Dry cupping was that practiced when the skin was unbroken; wet cupping (set above), after the skin had been scarified. c. 1850.

Upper Case: Set of Van Burens Sounds, American Standard. Instrument numbers correspond with English & French coding; also, assorted Otis' Bougies Aboule, both c. 1860.
On Cover of Upper Case: Assorted Fowler's Sounds, c. 1850.
Left Case: A set of seven male catheters, silver, c. approximately 1850.
Instruments (Center and Right): Male & Female catheters, sounds, repositors, probes, dilators and Bristol Probang, from c. 1825.

Galvanic tractors with leather case; designed in Connecticut by Elisha Perkins and patented in 1798.
Perkins metallic or magnetic tractors were a therapeutic fad of the times; they were compass-like contrivances with one blunt, rounded end and one sharp, pointed end, usually made of combinations of copper, zinc and gold or iron, silver and platinum. Cures were obtained, allegedly, by stroking and were, particularly, in vogue in England.

Improved Patent Magneto Electric Machine, London, c. 1862. A hand operated electrical generator.

The Fleming Battery, Phila., Pa., c. 1885.

Electricity was thought to have therapeutic effect on the physiological processes of the body and was used to 'cure', among other things, consumption, palsy, stone, venereal disease, cancer, blindness and worms. Its first application for medical purposes was in 1743, in Germany.

Three, monaural stethoscopes, c. 1840. Left: Ebony Right: Fruitwood
Two binaural stethoscopes, c. 1860. The monaural stethoscope was modified into the binaural type, approximately, 150.
Rene-Theophile-Hyacinthe Laennec (1781-1826), a French internist, made his name immortal by the invention of the stethoscope. Its original form took that of a cylinder of paper. In 1825, a disciple of Laennec, Dr. William Stokes (1804-1878), published his paper 'Introduction of the Use of the Stethoscope', in Dublin.

Physician's Bag and contents. Used by George F. Vail, M.D, who limited his practice, beginning in 1910, to the specialty of Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat.
Donated by: Miss Hazel Vail & Mrs. David Russell, Jr.

Physician's Bag and contents. That of a 'general practitioner', c. 1895.
Donated by: Millard Knowlton, M.D.

From front to rear: Stone mortar and pestle (handle of pestle, wood)
Brass mortar (1Q); pestle missing
Iron mortar and pestle, hand cast
Wood mortar and pestle

The mortar, in general, is a bell shaped vessel in which substances are pulverized. To accomplish this, a 'pestle' (the pounding instrument) is used. While prototypes of mortars and pestles may be traced to the Stone Age, wooden versions did not appear until centuries later. Today, glass and porcelain are the most common types used by pharmacists, who are required by law to have such equipment to compound U.S. Pharmacopeia and National Formulary preparations.

From a handwritten card found in this saddle bag: 'A physician's saddle bag, formerly owned and used by Dr. Eleazar Pomeroy Hunt, the father of E.K. Hunt. Dr. E.P. Hunt began the practice of medicine about 1800 and was the most beloved and honored physician throughout Tolland County for 67 years.' Bag and contents, as found, are shown. This type saddlebag is supported over the neck of the horse.

Shown are a medicine chest and two vial cases; the latter are made of seal skin; the former of sole and harness leather, c. latter half 19th century.

Medicine Case. Hand and shoulder strap missing. Medicaments outside case are stored in lower half of case. Bourbon Whiskey and French Brandy are among the medicaments.
On the right side of the case are the initials: 'S.F.J., Hartford Conn.' From a note found inside the case: '...this case was given to Dr. Oliver Smith by the widow of a deceased older physician. It dates back to the 1880's.' The note was signed by: Paul Butterworth, 1946.
Dr. Oliver C. Smith (1859-1915) was president of the Hartford Medical Society in 1912. His portrait by Charles N. Flagg hangs in the Society's Library.

Cased set of assorted obstetrical instruments; from left to right: crochet, scissors, sounds, catheters, dilators, vectis, amputation saw and obstetrical forceps; c. 1855. Surrounding the cased set are three obstetrical forceps; clockwise from bottom: c. 1800 (bone handle), c. 1830, c. 1855. Latter three from the office of Francis H. Weisman, M.D. and donated by: Mrs. C.H. Burger. Why an amputation saw was included in this set is not clear.

Surgical Adjuster for fractures and dislocations. Designed by George O. Jarvis, M.D., Portland, Middlesex Co., Conn., December 20th, 1843.
Patented, U.S. Patent Office, No. 3203, dated September 14, 1843. The Patent and accompanying manuscript is displayed with this instrument in the Museum case.

Automatic Inhalers
Lower: Mouth type
Upper: Mask
Both Mfg. by Codman & Shurtleff, Boston, c. 1890. From the office of S.L. Geer, M.D.
Donated by: Charles F. Gladding, Hartford.

Top: McLean Tonometer, Mfg. by E.B. Meyrowitz, Surgical Instument Co., N.Y., c.1890.
Donated by: Henry Birge, M.D.
Right: Geneva Lens Measure; Mfg. by E.B. Meyrowitz, c. 1891.
Left: Sphygmometer, Devised by John Bertrume Stein, M.D., N.Y. (an instrument used to measure the force and frequency of the arterial pulse).
Donated by: Albert L. Larson, M.D.

Clockwise from left: Ophthalmoscope, vest pocket model; handle is removable, no light source. Mfg. by Curry & Paxton, London, c. 1870. This instrument was part of the Physician's Bag belonging to George F. Vail, M.D., see page 12. Cased Set, Giantscope No. 144P and Ginat Retinoscope, No. 290. Mfg. by American Optical Co.
Cased early electric ophthalmologist. Mfg. by E.B. Meyrowitz, N.Y., c. 1910.
Rechargeable retinoscope, early model, c. 1940.
Donated by: Henry Birge, M.D.

Left: Five drawer Ophthalmological Instrument Case used by Samuel Benedict St. John, M.D. and Frank Waite, M.D., c. 1900.
Donated by: Alexander R. Gaudio, M.D. & David A. Hill, M.D.
Top: Ophthalmological Instrument Case, Mfg. by Tieman & Co., N.Y., c.1900.
Donated by: Morris Mancoll, M.D.
Right & Lower: Instrument storage and display cases; Mfg. by John Weiss & Co., c. 1870.
Donated by: Drs. Gaudio & Hill

Eye Instrument Case, U.S. Army, 1917.
Eye Case, Par. 914 M.M.D. 1917, G.P. Pilling & Son Co., Phila., Contract dated April 29, 1918.
Donated by: Henry Birge, M.D.

Leg Splint--foot, calf and thigh sections are adjustable; made of wood and copper.
Mfg. by L. Roe's, Patent May 6, 1844.
From a note found with the splint: '...given to Joseph E. Root, M.D., in 1886 from the estate of old Dr. White. In 1925, Dr. Root gave it to his nephew Robert M. Yargason, M.D.'. Dr. Root was President of the Hartfod Medical Society in 1916, and Dr. Yergason was President in 1942.
Donated by: Mrs. Robert M. Yergason.

Surgical Pocket Cases. The smallest, left, is also known as 'Vest Pocket Case'. c., clockwise, from top, 825, 1850, 1880. The lancet was the most common instrument found in the Pocket Case. Lancets took many forms, such as: scalpel, Bistoury, tenotome, tenaculum, currette, gum lancet, metacarpal saw, vaccinating thumb lancet, etc. Some were single ended, other instruments double ended; most with shell handle.

Top, left: Small Operating Case, Mfg. by Tiemann, N. York, c. 1830.
Bottom, left: Dissecting and Post Mortem Case containing six scalpels and triple chain and hook.
Mfg. by Geo. Tiemann, c. 1870.
Right: Cased set of Ophthalmic Instruments, c. 1855.
All instruments in the three sets have ivory handles.

Cased Stomach Pump and Anatomical Syringe; Mfg. by Codman & Shurtleff, Surgical & Dental Instruments, Boston; ivory and ebony handles; c. 1865.

Top: Cased Set: Stomach Pump & Instrument for Paracentesis Thoracis. Mfg. by Codman & Shurtleff, Boston, c. 1860.
Below: Cased Pocket Aspirator & Exploring Syringe, c. 1890.
Left & Right: Syringes
Below: Two clyster or enema syringes with wood handle and plunger, c. 1800.

Top five instruments: Tonsillotomes c. 1900-1915.
Donated by: Morris Mancoll, M.D.
Lower: Nasal snare, c. 1885 from Physician's Bag of George F. Vail, M.D.

Left: Thermophore for heat treatment of scleritis. Mfg. by Kloman Instrument Co., Washington, D.C., c. 1900.
Right: From a note accompanying this instrument: 'An instrument used for application of thermal treatment by means of certain rays, possibly ultra-violet'; c. 1910.
Donated by: Euen Vankleeck, M.D.

Upper Row--left to right: 'Regulations of the Hartford Medical Society Together with Fee Table. Established September 15th, 1846'.
'By-Laws, Regulations & Fee Table of the Hartford Medical Society, Adopted September 1, 1891'.
'Regulations of the Hartford County North Medical Association, Together with the Fee Table, Established January 1, 1857'.
Lower Row: Four page layout of the 1846 'Regulations & Fee Table'.

Leather cased toothkeys with original cases.
Lower left: One piece, hand forged (iron) toothkey; holster type leather case, c. 1750.
Top: Set of three toothkeys; removable handles are wood; c. 1780. Marking on top portion of leather carrying case: 'Doctor Moore Millbury'.
Lower right: Toothkey, holster type case, c. 1800.

Assortment of Toothkeys: Handles are ivory, wood, ebony and bone. Straight shafts are the earlier type (approximately, 1760). Some were made with removable handle (center), the handle being used as an elevator; or folding handle (lower center) for easy transportation. The bend and double bend in the shaft were designed to prevent strain on adjacent teeth. Toothkeys were first developed, approximately, 1740 and so called because the earliest ones looked exactly like a 'key' of that period.

Cased Dental Forceps Set: A single forceps with interchangeable beaks for the extraction of both upper and lower teeth. This set was manufactured in Hartford by the Durham Dental Forceps Co. Patented December 5 & 12, 1871.
Lower instruments: Assortment of dental forceps from c. 1850.
Instrument, fourth from right, hand forged, c. 1825.

Assortment of dental instruments: Including manual, gold foil plugger (index finger mallet operated), scalers, burnishes, root screw, gold builders; from c. 1850. Handles are snakewood, olive, tulip, cocabola, ebony and rosewood.
Center:Denture, lead or low fusion white metal. It appears that the low fusion metal was poured against the porcelain teeth.

'The Bicentennial Room', dedicated April 19, 1976, part of Connecticut's Bicentennial Year observance. Contains floor model medical equipment, in addition to Gershon Bulkeley's (1635-1713) hand written manuscripts, microscopes and assorted instruments in large wall display case.

A complete dental office, c. 1919. Obtained from William J. Reid, D.D.S. at the time of his retirement, 1986. Placed on display 1979.

Daniel Sheldon, M.D. (1750-1840)
Oil on canvas 28 3/4 x 23 1/2
Artist unknown
Colonial portrait registered by: The Frick Collection
1 E. 70th Street, New York (1965)
Born in Hartford. After completing medical studies with Dr. Bird at Litchfield South Farms, he went to Washington, CT. He formed a temperance society before such things were generally thought of.

James Beresford, M.D. (1783-1843)
Oil on canvas 35 3/4 x 28 3/4
Artist unknown
Colonial portrait registered by: The Frick Collection
1 E. 70th Street, New York. (1965)
Born in Barbados. He completed his medical education in London in 1804. While serving as a British Army surgeon he was wounded in the Battle of Guadaloupe. He settled in Hartford with his family including his son Dr. Samuel Beresford.

Gurdon W. Russell, M.D. (1815-1909)
Oil on canvas 39 1/2 x 29 1/2
Artist unknown
Born in Hartford; graduated from Washington College (renamed Trinity College)m in 1834 and Yale Medical School in 1837, He was a founder of the Hartford Medical Society and its President from 1889 to 1893.
He served as the first Medical Director of the Aetna Life Insurance Company from 1857 to 1909.

Ebenezer Kingsbury Hunt, M.D. (1810-1899)
Oil on canvas 40 x 33 1/8
Signed lower right: Chas. Noel Flagg 1893
Exhibited: Vorce's Gallery, Hartford (date?), The Connecticut Historical Society (1985)
Born in Coventry. He received his M.D. from Hefferson Medical College, PA. in 1838. In 1839 he was physician at the Retreat for the Insane. He served as founder of The Hartford Medical Society and Hartford Hospital. Dr. Hunt was Medical Examiner for the Hartford Life Insurance Co. and Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Co. The building of the Hartford Medical Society bears his name.

Horace Wells, D.D.S. (1815-1848)
Oil on canvas 26 1/2 x 21 1/4
Portrait by James Goodwin McManus.
Born in Hartford, Windsor County, Vermont. Apprenticed to leading dental practitioners in Boston. On April 4, 1836, Dr. Wells opened his office on Main Street, Hartford, Connecticut. On December 11, 1844, he successfully demonstrated the application of nitrous oxide as a general anesthetic.

William Turner Bacon, M.D. (1846-1906)
Oil on canvas 26 1/4 x 21 1/2
Signed lower left: Chas. Noel Flagg 1906
Exhibited: The Connecticut Historical Society (1975)
Born in Hartford, Graduated from Yale College in 1868 and New York University Medical School 1871.
Appointed Ophthalmic and Aural Surgeon to Hartford Hospital 1876; 27 years later he served as President of the Hartford Medical Society.

Left: Elgin Vacuum Casting Appliance, Mfg. by Ransom Randolph Co., c. 1915.
Donated by: H.G. Bristol, D.D.S.
Center: Lewis Vulcanizer (Cross-Bar 4 inch forged steel); Mfg. by Buffalo Dental Mfg. Co., N.Y.
Donated by: Mr. Al Kleinman
Right: Foot Engine or 'Treadle Drill' Mfg. by SS White, Phila. This instrument was used by Benjamin Luntz, D.D.S, in 1914; c. 1905.
Loaned by: Lester L. Luntz, D.D.S.

Single bladed scarifier (also known as a Spring Gleam or Schnapper); both in original cases. For blood letting; occasionally used in dentistry for gum lancing. Early to mid 1700's. The instrument is 'cocked' by pulling back the lever over the blade and then 'fired' by pressing the lever along the side of the instrument. Where the inner works are iron, the housing is brass.