Description: Mouth gag.

Caption: The tips of the instrument are made of nickel which is pliable so that the instrument could be bent into any shape required. It would also have been covered with rubber or latex sheath to protect the soft tissues of the patient's mouth.

Introduction: This is an instrument in which a scissor action has been reversed so that when the finger holds are brought together the instrument opens. Fitted with a ratchet and a screw clamp, it was used to keep the mouth open in dentistry and in general surgery when a general anesthetic had been administered.

Background: The mouth gag ensured that the patient's mouth was immobilized during an exploration or operation on the mouth, trachea (airway to the lungs), larynx (the voice box) or the esophagus (the gullet).

Historical Context: Donation by the Department of Clinical Pysics & Bioengineering, University of Glasgow - Where: University Avenue, Glasgow, Scotland

Historical Context: Donation to the Hunterian Museum - Who: Davison, Malcolm, Dr The Department of Clinical Physics & Bio-Engineering

Historical Context: Donation to the Hunterian Museum by the Department of Clinical Physics & Bio-Engineering - When: March 29, 1993

Historical Context: Manufacture - When: circa 1900 - Where: 65 Renfield Street, Glasgow, Scotland - Who: W. B. Hilliard & Sons

Historical Context: Owned by Rankin - When: 1921-1929 - Where: Glasgow, Scotland

Historical Context: Owner - Who: Mr William Rankin (Surgeon)

Historical Context: Owner and user at Glasgow's Western Infirmary, Sick Children's Hospital and the Dispensary - Who: Mr James, H. Nicoll (1863-1921) Surgeon to Glasgow's Sick Children's Hospital and and Dispensary Surgeon

Historical Context: Used by Nicoll - Where: Scotland, Glasgow's Western Infirmary, Sick Children's Hospital and the Dispensary

Historical Context: Used by Nicoll at Glasgow's Western Infirmary, Sick Children's Hospital and the Dispensary - When: 1894-1921