small odd tool

[mojjax]

I opens to 90 degrees . any ideas ?

 

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[mech]

LOL!!

do we have any volunteers to try out the tongue depressor?

 

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[EDDE]

LMAO

 

[MiddenMonster]

Now that I think about it, I remember seeing these used in several old TV shows from the 1950s and 1960s. It's definitely a tongue depressor. Funny thing is, they always folded it shut and put it back in the pocket of their white jacket when they were done. I guess they didn't know about germs and sterilization back in those days. They always seemed to be pediatricians, too. What a drag to be the last kid of the day to see the doctor.

 

[TreasureTales]

Now that I think about it, I remember seeing these used in several old TV shows from the 1950s and 1960s. It's definitely a tongue depressor. Funny thing is, they always folded it shut and put it back in the pocket of their white jacket when they were done. I guess they didn't know about germs and sterilization back in those days. They always seemed to be pediatricians, too. What a drag to be the last kid of the day to see the doctor.

Clearing throat and sitting up straight....uhum, I am a guy from "back in those days" and everyone knew about germs and sterilization. However, we weren't so scared of transmitting diseases, and many of us from that time believe getting a few germs now and then helped build up our natural immune systems. Course back then we didn't have AIDS or the incidence of Hepatitis A, B, C and various other diseases that are prevalent today. We had wooden tongue depressors, which were disposable. And there were some that were entirely metal so that they could be sterilized through heat and boiling water. Expensive wooden handles, such as this item has, are not conducive to being sterilized, so I personally have a hard time accepting the "medical instrument" theory. I could be wrong, I often am, but I just don't see it being a medical device. And I believe it was stated in the very first post on this thread that the thing only opens to a 90 degree angle. Why would a tongue depressor not open to 180 degrees? Why would a doctor want to hold his hand down by a person's neck while using the "tongue depressor" when such a position would offer less control over the tool and be awkward to hold in such a way as well?

 

[MiddenMonster]

Clearing throat and sitting up straight....uhum, I am a guy from "back in those days" and everyone knew about germs and sterilization. However, we weren't so scared of transmitting diseases, and many of us from that time believe getting a few germs now and then helped build up our natural immune systems.

I know. I was just funnin' with y'all. We've known about germs since the days of Louis the P and Joseph the L (Pasteur and Lister). If I was trying to be mean to you I would have brought up the no indoor plumbing or electricity from those days...

Expensive wooden handles, such as this item has, are not conducive to being sterilized, so I personally have a hard time accepting the "medical instrument" theory. I could be wrong, I often am, but I just don't see it being a medical device. And I believe it was stated in the very first post on this thread that the thing only opens to a 90 degree angle. Why would a tongue depressor not open to 180 degrees? Why would a doctor want to hold his hand down by a person's neck while using the "tongue depressor" when such a position would offer less control over the tool and be awkward to hold in such a way as well?

I think it opens 90 degrees because it was also used when performing minor mouth surgery. With the doctor's hand below the mouth there was nothing to obstruct the view into the mouth and more leverage could be placed in the tongue since it locked at that angle. Here's a known tongue depressor from 1915 that folds. It's all metal and lacks the hole but the basic design is the same:

What do you want to bet that the occasional doctor also used it as a shoe horn?

And here's one that doesn't fold, but is bent to 90 degrees:

 

[TreasureTales]

MiddenMonster...you da man! I defer to your superior research results!!! Mea Culpa. BUT THERE IS NO WOOD ON THE HANDLE!!!!!!!!!!!! so can I have a little praise thrown my way? sniff sniff sniff

 

[mech]

"I think it opens 90 degrees because it was also used when performing minor mouth surgery. With the doctor's hand below the mouth there was nothing to obstruct the view into the mouth and more leverage could be placed in the tongue since it locked at that angle."

I definately dont think it was used for simple "open up and say ahhhh" "lets have a look" type things..but as you said for minor surgeries. It would hold the tongue down out of the way and also keep your lower jaw pulled down for say..cutting out your tonsils. fun fun

wheres the ice cream?

 

[MiddenMonster]

I definately dont think it was used for simple "open up and say ahhhh" "lets have a look" type things..but as you said for minor surgeries. It would hold the tongue down out of the way and also keep your lower jaw pulled down for say..cutting out your tonsils.

Plus it has that hole in the middle so they can jab a 2" needle into your tongue and shoot you up with pain killers.

 

[Ant]

I think it used to stir up a drink or concoction.

Just my guess.

HH

 

[mech]

Expensive wooden handles, such as this item has, are not conducive to being sterilized, so I personally have a hard time accepting the "medical instrument" theory. I could be wrong

c. 1880 antique lithotomy scoop by Katsch, Munich, with ebony handle.

 

[TreasureTales]

OK OK OK, I was WRONG I ADMIT IT.. I've done the mea culpa thing (this is beginning to become habitual). Some of you guys are relentless in proving me wrong...that's OK because at least I TRIED!!!!!!

 

[mech]

not trying to pick on anyone treasure
Could still be wrong..it may not be a medical tool at all..but seems to be from google searches (which is very far from perfect sometimes!)

I like the "what is it" game...wrong , right or way left field..all guesses are good ones and we all learn something along the way.

 

[Michelle]

I think you are right..I was looking up old medical instruments and there is/was such a thing as a folding tongue depressor.

You mean like this? It ain't a tongue depressor, though. This one is for clamping and aiding circumcisions, but it looks similar. Maybe yours is for a general examination to move it out of the way:

 

[Michelle]

A rare c. 1860 folding obstetrical lever by W.& H. Hutchinson, Sheffield. The handle is pressed horn, and the make is of high quality. The exact instrument is pictured in Weiss 1863,

 

[TreasureTales]

!Q

All I can say about all these devices of torture is...THANK GAWD I'VE NEVER SEEN ONE UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL. I'm gonna have nightmares tonight just thinking about these awful things. Yikes! Course, I panic when the doc reaches for a cotton ball!!!!!

 

[Michelle]

Im not so sure this is for "human consumption though"UNLESS POST MORTIM"......

 

[MiddenMonster]

You mean like this? It ain't a tongue depressor, though. This one is for clamping and aiding circumcisions, but it looks similar. Maybe yours is for a general examination to move it out of the way

Yeah, you go ahead and laugh Missy. No one is ever gonna experiment on you with one of these things. I cringe just thinking about it.
Stuff that folds will frequently snap shut.

 

[Michelle]

LOL......And they thought he had Blue eyes....after using that they were BLACK EYES.....LOL