Category: Pre 19th Century Instruments
Estimated Date: 1650
Name: Seton
Manufacturer: Unknown

Description: 15” long forged iron forceps with a lock on the handle and a rivet joint. The end is curved and flares to from a ridge on each arm in the characteristic shape of the “cautere a setons” which was used for secondary wound closure. The frequency of infection and the lack of effective therapy led to the use of this approach to wounds. Although it resulted in a major scar, it provided adequate drainage to facilitate healing of infection.

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