[1/4] These #toolsofthetrade are vital for patching-up patients during surgical procedures! The phials contain ligatures which were used to tie blood vessels following operations such as amputation. Tying blood vessels prevents the patient from bleeding to death! #oldoptheatre 
[2/4] The ligatures are made from horsehair and silkworm gut, materials noted for their tensile strength. Other materials recommended by surgeons included catgut and kangaroo tendon! (Catgut, by the way, is made from the intestines of cattle, sheep or goats – not cats!) #histmed
[3/4] Before antisepsis and asepsis ligatures were a source of infection. Horsehair sutures became more popular with surgeons because they appeared to present a lower risk of infection. The preparation of the sutures involved boiling the hair, which inadvertently sterilised it!
[4/4] Visit our website to learn more! oldoperatingtheatre.com
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