Suggested Veterinary Instruments for an exhibit at the 100th Anniversary of the WVMA

Conical graduated cylinders

In the early 1900s, veterinarians compounded their own medicines, using these cylinders .

They also filled their own gelatin capsules, using a mortar and pastel . (as seen in the background)

Surgical ovarian snare Unique balling gun

Ear tattoo instrument

This pistol grip ear tattoo instrument has the “kick” of a 45 pistol.

Bovine pelvic splitter

This stainless steel instrument is 48 in. long and weighs 18 lbs. The top of the instrument has a 3 in. 90 degree sharp blade. At the other end, is a sliding solid steel cylinder, which is used to ram the blade backward, splitting the symphysis, starting from the anterior aspect to the posterior.

Cattle TB testing equipment

Federal TB syringe with a

small flashlight attached TB testing gauge

TB and Brucellosis branding equipment

TB and Brucellosis branding irons

With the Federal and State eradiation programs, it was essential that positive reactors needed to be permanently identified.

The “T” branding iron was used for TB reactors and the “B” branding iron was used for the Brucellosis reactors.

Unique veterinary suture material

HORSE HAIR SUTURE

ETHICON - Johnson & Johnson’s brand suture material was available in the 1930s and the1940’s for veterinary surgery.

It was available in glass tubes, with six strands of size 000, 28 in. strands.

Small animal instruments and medications

Early ear crop form

This leather holds 17 glass containers of tablets for dogs.

Some of these tablets contain

elements of mercury.

A typical library of a WVMA member in 1915

Human blood letting instrument

This instrument is 172 years old This instrument is 4 inches long

Today’s (blood letting instrument) blood lancet

Modern day blood lancet used by our medical lab assistant

This disposable lancet is only 2 in. long