Description: Orthopaedic finger knife.

Caption: The most common causes of amputations of the fingers and toes in the past were common crushing injuries. Little could be done for this type of trauma (injury) that would today be considered almost inconsequential. Except in the most severe cases new surgical methods and antibiotics have largely eradicated such amputations.

Introduction: A stainless steel pointed amputation knife with a 73mm straight blade used for cutting the tendons, cartilage and ligaments between the phalanges of the fingers and toes. It was designed for the rapid removal of severely damaged bone and tissue. (see also GLAHM 113032).

Background: Robert Liston was regarded as one of the fastest surgeons in the world but in 1846 he performed an amputation that did not for the first time require his legendary speed. He removed the leg of James Churchill from the thigh. This was the first public operation performed in Britain using ether as a general anaesthetic.

Historical Context: Design of Liston's amputation knife - When: circa 1820 - Where: Edinburgh, Scotland

Historical Context: Design of the amputation knife - Who: Liston, Robert (1794-1847) Renowned Scottish surgeon

Historical Context: Discovery of stainless steel by Harry Brearley - When: June 4, 1912

Historical Context: Discovery of stainless steel by Harry Brearley at Brown-Firth Research Laboratory - Where: Sheffield, England

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: Invention of Stainless steel - Who: Brearley, Harry (1871-1948) English metallurgist

Historical Context: Manufacture - When: circa 1900 - Where: 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 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