Ecraseur

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Ecraseur is a French word meaning “to crush.” The French physician Chassaignac (1805–1879) invented the Ecraseur for tongue amputation and removal of polypoid masses. The device was used to remove tongue polyps and uterine and ovarian tumors. The chain or wire encircle the troubled area, and then gradually be tightened until the area was removed. This method helped keep blood loss to a minimum by strangulating the growth and cutting off its blood supply.

This Chassaignae-type écraseur (1880-1902) was used to remove tumors and hemorrhoids. They were also used for castrations. Larger versions were used on horses. SWIPE for illustrations. The linked, looped chain at the end of the instrument would be fitted over the growth by pressing the two levers on each side and moving the handle up to reduce the size of the loop – or down to increase the size of the loop. Once the loop is placed over the growth the linked chain is gradually tightened until the links are inside the main body of the instrument. The growth is slowly strangulated, cutting off the blood supply prior to removal. The process had the benefit of not producing any unnecessary bleeding. It was invented by Dr. Chassaignae, a Parisian surgeon in 1880. (Source: sciencemuseum.org.uk) #whatisitwednesday #whatisit #whatsit #antiques #antique #curiosity #curiosities #oddity #oddities #mystery #museum #history #cabinetofcuriosities #cabinetofcuriosity #ecraseur #castration #hemorrhoids #tumor #whatthemuseum #wunderlust #wunderlusting #wunderkammer #weirdantiques #unusualantiques #tradeovertime

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