Greco-Roman Medical Equipment (Reproductions) Collection

Dr. Francis Rosenbaum, of the Milwaukee Academy of Medicine, donated a 36-piece collection of these reproductions to the MPM in 1954. This donation represents the majority of the collection – exceptions noted as appropriate. The original medical tools found in Pompeii are on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

The larger pieces – in particular the specula – are fascinating because they are so similar to tools used well into the 20th century. Anyone in the medical profession would easily recognize the function and purpose of the specula and many of the other tools.

Descriptions accompanying the photos are drawn primarily from J.S. Milne’s “Surgical Instruments in Greek and Roman Times” (1907).

Collection Items

Catalog Number : 2385
Accession Number : 17465
Large needle-like tool This large tool has a needle-like tip with eye and a half-ball head. The specific purpose of this tool is currently unidentified. Milne does not include this item in his 1907 text, nor does it appear in descriptions of the other larger collections of Pompeii surgical/medical tools.1907 text, nor does it appear in descriptions of the other larger collections of Pompeii surgical/medical tools.
Catalog Number : 2385
Accession Number : 17465

Spatula Probes spathumeles (Greek); spathomeles (Latin) Spathomeles were a combination of spatula and probe, one of the most commonly encountered ancient Greco-Roman pharmaceutical tools. These tools are so commonly found archaeologically that it is likely they served multiple uses beyond the medicinal. Probes and spatulas may have been used as surgical probes, medicament preparation tools, or simply as makeup applicators.

Catalog Number : 2385
Accession Number : 17465

Tile Cautery kauterion (Greek); ferrum candens (Latin) Cauteries were heated and used to burn tissue for multiple purposes. Milne refers to texts by Galen, Hippocrates, Paul, and others to list just some of the uses including: ?as a ?counter-irritant?, as a haemostatic, as a bloodless knife, as a means of destroying tumours, etc.? Most cauteries were made of iron and therefore did not survive from antiquity.

Catalog Number : 2385
Accession Number : 17465

Bone Levers mochliskos (Greek); osteotomes (Latin) Milne references Galen, Hippocrates, and Paul to suggest that bone levers were used to lift fractured bones into position. These tools may also have been used for levering out teeth.

Catalog Number : 2385
Accession Number : 17465
Bone Forceps ostagra (Greek) Milnes quotes Soranus, Galen, Paul Aigenta, and other ancient texts suggesting the use of bone forceps to remove fractured skull pieces in adults and infants.
Catalog Number : 2385
Accession Number : 17465
Catheter (Male) katheter (Greek) Catheters, or hollow metal tubes, much like those of today, were used to open blocked passages such as the urinary tract. Other similar devices were used to open spaces such as the nasal cavity to insert various medicinal treatments. Catheters for males were generally s-shaped, whereas those for females were shorter and straight.
Catalog Number : 2385
Accession Number : 17465
Speculum, Rectal hedrodiastoleus (Greek) Rectal specula were used to dilate the rectum for the treatment of ulcerated bowel and hemorrhoids.
Catalog Number : 2385
Accession Number : 17465

Speculum, Vaginal dioptra (Greek); speculum magnum matricis (Latin) First mentioned by the Greek Soranus, specialized specula were used to view and treat ailments and abscesses of the uterus. These specula were available in different sizes to be used according to the age and size of the patient. The method for opening and closing these tools was used well into the 18th century. Similar tools are recognizable even today in modern gynecological care.