Let ‘er Rip: The Clockwork Saw

Posted by Nastassia Foose in Object Focus, Quackery

The clockwork saw is a fascinating, yet little-known invention that never made it past the prototype phase. Developed by WHB Winchester (1816-1901), the clockwork saw was a hand-wound amputation device. The surgeon would crank the handle tight and then let go, causing the blade to spin rapidly. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the saw was not…Read more »

November 1, 2018July 10, 2020

“I Need That Like I Need A Hole In The Head!”

Posted by Nastassia Foose in Mental Health, Quackery

(Photo Credit: The Medical Book) Trepanning or trepanation is one of the earliest surgical procedures in history. The word trepanation is Greek for trypanon, meaning to drill or bore (Kang 142). In essence, a hole, or a series of holes, would be cut, drilled, or scraped into a patient’s skull using various instruments. Some of these…Read more »

Antiquated Antidotes

We will explore the medical mavericks of the past and rediscover the gruesome tales behind our modern field of medicine.

Tag: Surgery

Let ‘er Rip: The Clockwork Saw

“I Need That Like I Need A Hole In The Head!”