title: From flint to stainless steel: observations on surgical instrument composition.
abstract: Man's failure to extract deeply embedded thorns and arrowheads, with bare hands and teeth, stimulated 'instrument substitutes' mimicking these appendages. Evidence from primitive communities suggest animal, plant and mineral items were employed, both before and after metal became the standard material of today's armamentarium. Changing surgical instrument composition has mirrored concurrent technology and manufacturing methods both of which are reviewed. Particular significance is accorded flint, bronze, crucible steel, thermal sterilisation, nickel-plate, stainless steel and disposable plastics. The paper is based on an exhibition From Flint to Stainless Steel on display at the College.
authors.affiliation: Royal College of Surgeons of England, London.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kirkup
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004867:Equipment Design; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D013193:Stainless Steel; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000266:history*
chemical_list: D013193:Stainless Steel