Trephine Collection

Alexander III the Great (356-323 B. C. ). King of Macedonia (3
Alexander III the Great (356-323 B.C.). King of Macedonia (336 to 323 B.C.). Son of Philip II and Princess epirota Olympia. Roman bust. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. Copenhagen. Denmark

The Vocation of St. Peter, sculptural relief, marble, c. 1160-1165, from the Monastery of San Pere de Rodes, by the Master of Cabestany

Trephine used by Dr. Ben Carson, 1984-1995. Creator: Codman & Shurtleff, Inc
African-American neurosurgeon, author, and politician Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr. (born 1951) served as the 17th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 2017 to 2021

Trepanation. Miniature. 14th c. Treatise on anatomy by Mondi
Illustration of trepanation. Miniature. 14th century. Treatise on anatomy by Mondino de Liuzzi (1270-1326). Italian anatomist nad profesor of Bologna

Surgical trepanning equipment from the 19thC.. Surgical trepanning instruments including spring forceps, Savignys trephines, scalpel, elevator, Mr

Instruments for Lithotomy and Trepanning. C017 / 3440
Plate from 18th century encyclopedia showing illustrations of various surgical instruments for lithotomy and trepanning. Lithotomy is a surgical method for removal of calculi

Scene of trephining, cataract removal, dentistry, and other medical treatment
CLINIC SCENE, 1550. Scene of trephining, cataract removal, dentistry, and other medical treatment. Woodcut from an edition of Galens Opera omnia, Venice, 1550

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"Exploring the Ancient Technique of Trephine: From Alexander III the Great to Modern Medicine" Trephine, a term that encompasses various historical and medical contexts, has played a significant role throughout history. Dating back to ancient times, trepanation was practiced by skilled physicians like Alexander III the Great in Macedonia. This technique involved using specialized tools such as trephines to create openings in the skull for therapeutic purposes. In art, we see glimpses of trephine's influence through sculptural reliefs like "The Vocation of St. Peter, " where marble captures the intricate details of surgical instruments including trephines. These artifacts serve as reminders of how this practice was integrated into daily life centuries ago. Fast forward to more recent times, Dr. Ben Carson utilized a trephine created by Codman & Shurtleff Inc between 1984-1995 during his medical career. This demonstrates how even modern medicine relies on ancient techniques and tools for certain procedures. One fascinating application of trepanation is its use in developing vaccines. In a 14th-century treatise on anatomy by Mondi, we find references to miniature illustrations depicting rabbits being injected with rabies virus before undergoing trepanation to achieve the rabies vaccine—a testament to early experimentation and scientific progress. Throughout history, surgeons have relied on specialized equipment for successful surgeries involving cranial intervention or lithotomy procedures—trephaning equipment from the 19th century stands as evidence of these advancements. Woodcuts from Galen's Opera omnia provide an intriguing glimpse into scenes depicting various medical treatments including cataract removals and dentistry alongside trephining practices—an indication that this technique was not limited solely to neurosurgery but had broader applications within medicine. From ancient civilizations like Macedonia under Alexander III's reign to contemporary medicine with figures like Dr. Ben Carson utilizing it during their careers—the concept continues evolving while leaving its mark on the history of medicine.