Henry J. Bigelow Gold-plated Presentation Surgical Set

Description:

Henry J. Bigelow Gold-plated Presentation Surgical Set, Charriere, Paris, c. 1869, with approximately thirty instruments most marked by maker, including fourteen surgical knives with plain and crosshatched ebony handles, eight scissors of varying patterns and numbered at the joint, seven tweezers and a bone saw, all in a fitted suede, brass-inlaid, and rosewood box marked Charriere a Paris on the lock plate, with brass presentation plaque on the lid marked Boston Society for Medical Improvement/From Henry J. Bigelow/1869 and black leather carrying case, the rosewood case ht. 2, wd. 16, dp. 6 in.

Note: Henry J. Bigelow, MD (1818-1890) was a surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, and noted professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School. Bigelow, present during the surgery which first used ether as an anesthesia at Mass. General in 1846, quickly published a report in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal (Vol. 35, November 18, 1846) of "one of the most important discoveries of the age." Dr. J.G. Mumford's Story of the Boston Society for Medical Improvement (Boston, 1901) states clearly that Bigelow was a very active member of the Society while a professor at Harvard Medical School and a surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Estimate $20,000-25,000

One vacant spot in the case possibly for small tweezer, some retaining catches to secure impliments now gone, age consistent surface imperfections. leather case now fragile with hinge separated and straps only partially remaining.

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