From the Archives – Medical Bags and Cases

The Northampton General Hospital Museum and Archive recently acquired a GP’s medical case, on loan from Dr Kneafsey’s daughter. Her father was a GP at Langham Place Surgery, Northampton, from 1961 until his retirement in 1989. She recalls seeing it positioned by the front door in readiness for a call-out. He later replaced this case with a much lighter one and so it was relegated to the attic until recently rediscovered.

We tend to associate the historic Gladstone  medical bag being carried by doctors, like this one dated late 19^th Century. Its previous owner was Professor John Leonard D’Silva, who worked at King’s College, London as a professor of physiology. He died in 1972 and this bag was donated to the archive by his daughter. It may well have been a family heirloom passed down through the generations.

Surgeons also carried their own instruments with them to the operating theatres. Although hospitals had their own sets sterilised and ready for use, surgeons often bought specialist instruments that suited their needs. On arrival to theatre, they would study the operating lists for the day, select any of their own instruments they wished to use, and offer them for sterilisation.

This beautiful wooden case of instruments, inlaid with brass, belonged to Mr Holman.

Mr Charles Colgate Holman was appointed house surgeon in 1912 before joining the Royal Army Medical Corps in WW1. This highly skilled surgeon re-joined the hospital after the war.

When Manfield Orthopaedic Hospital opened in 1925, he was the first surgeon there, returning to NGH two years later. During WW2 he started the first fracture clinic at NGH and until 1946 he dealt with all fractures at the hospital as well as doing general surgery.

This photo was taken at NGH in his early years when he practised as a gynaecologist, obstetrician, orthopaedic and general surgeon. He specialised in general surgery until his retirement in 1952.

In total contrast to Mr Holman’s box, we have this small, battered suitcase containing the personal instruments of Mr Rowan D Mitchell. He was an Orthopaedic Consultant who worked at Manfield Hospital, Northampton General Hospital Accident & Emergency Service and other clinics in the county.

Mr Mitchell was appointed deputy director of orthopaedic surgery in 1946 and when he first came to Northampton, he ran the orthopaedic services for the town of Rugby as well.

He had a keen interest in sport and sport medicine and encouraged one of his physiotherapists, Charles McCormack, to start the first sports clinic in Northampton.

Spoils of WW2

Tucked away just inside the museum, as it is far too heavy to move, is this metal case consisting of seven trays containing 100 instruments. This weighty item (65lbs) was for use in a German Field Hospital in WW2 and probably too heavy to transport, so abandoned and then acquired by Mr T Hayes Dockrell.

At the outbreak of WW2, Mr Dockrell was a House Officer at Manfield Orthopaedic Hospital and enlisted with the Royal Army Medical Corps, rising to the rank of Colonel, and returned to Manfield Hospital after the war with this box. He became Consultant until his retirement and his name might ring a bell as he was Mayor of Northampton in 1967/68.

Not all medical bags belonged to doctors. Here we have a midwife’s case complete with a selection of instruments, examples of drugs used (empty boxes only) a binder and baby weighing equipment. Note that there is a compartment at the bottom that is accessed from the side.

 

Come visit us

If you would like to visit us during opening hours (09:30am to 12:30pm on Wednesdays) to see any of these artefacts and explore the museum and archive, we would be very happy to show you around.

Unfortunately, as the hospital is still exercising caution after Covid, we ask if you would make an appointment. You can contact us by phone: 01604 544868 or by email: sue.longworth@nhs.net