Antique Trepanation Instrument Set, Ca. 1900

Very rare wooden case with medical trepanation tools, dated circa 1900 and in very good condition. This item comes from Germany or Austria and stands out for its amazing condition and the quality of the pieces that make up the set. The tools are made of steel and show no signs of rust or wear. The tool set is complete and there is not a single piece missing. They are all stored in a solid wooden case designed to keep them in perfect order. Trepanation is a medical practice which has been performed for thousands of years. It consists of drilling a burr hole in the patients skull in order to reach the brain and heal diseases. It is surrounded by a halo of magic and obscurantism and was already performed in the Neolithic. Today trepanations are only used as a way of access to perform neurosurgical operations.The tool set that we can see in the images is composed of a trephine, a series of drill bits that can be adjusted to the trephine and three spatulas. The trephines crank bears an engraved mark depicting a snake coiling up a rod, with a crown on top. It is the Rod of Sculapius, the ancient symbol of medicine and healing. As stated before, the tools are stored in a nice solid oak wooden case, carefully compartmented in order to keep them well organized. The wood remains in good condition though its outer finish show signs of the trace of time and the use, logical in such an antique piece. The case preserves the original metal hinges and lock. For its rareness and ability to fascinate, this antique case trepanation set is a real collectors piece full of scientific and historic interest. Measurements (Open): Width: 7.8 in / 20 cm. Depth: 7.4 in / 19 cm.