MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Big Kev]

Looks medical. Veterinary related?

[Gloria]

Just noticed it has pokey things on the top of the “handle” bit.

[Cathy]

Is it an early stitch un-picker?

[Stanley]

Sorry, nobody has it right, but some are closer than others..... I'm quite enjoying having you guessing!

[Big Kev]

Smallpox vaccine Lancet?

https://www.historyofvaccines.org/conte ... nstruments

[Gloria]

It looks as though both ends are used, one to loosen something, and the other to scoop whatever out.

[Stanley]

He's come in it from left field and got it right. A travelling vaccinator's lancet. In those days a small amount of cowpox pus was incorporated in a scratched area on the patient's arm. The lancet was used to scratch the reception area.
Next one?

[Gloria]

Not have got that in a month of sundays.

[Big Kev]

There was a programme, on the BBC, a few years ago about vaccines. My memory isn't as bad as I thought it was

Just done a bit more digging, Edward Jenner was the man what did it

[PanBiker]

From memory it was a six or eight needle spring loaded hypodermic when I had mine, it's a long time ago but that's the one that leaves you with a small round scar.

[Big Kev]

From memory it was a six or eight needle spring loaded hypodermic when I had mine, it's a long time ago but that's the one that leaves you with a small round scar.

Was that not the Heaf test for determining TB infection?
No experience of a smallpox jab, had lots of Heaf tests though

[PanBiker]

Not sure now Kev to be honest, it was about 55 years ago at school. We just lined up and got what we were given. remember one lad in our form just in front of me flaking out and the needle broke off in his arm with one of the jabs we got. Which one was it then that leaves the pock mark on your arm?

[Big Kev]

The Heaf test left a temporary mark, usually done on the inside of the forearm. The reaction you had to it determined your TB immunity. Had a Google and the smallpox jab looks to have involved a similar delivery, potentially with less needles, which left a 'lozenge' shaped scar. Without any personal knowledge I'm sure your memory of it will be much more reliable than mine

[Wendyf]

I can't remember having a smallpox jab, I think you were given it as a baby by the early 1950s. I remember my parents having large, circular scars about half an inch across from smallpox vaccinations. I had a tb jab which left a large hole!

[Big Kev]

I remember my school friends having the TB jab when I was about 14 (I think), it was a 'thing' to punch the arm of anyone who'd been vaccinated (all boys school). I've never had one personally so never knew if the injection site was painfull or not, I presume it was or it would have been a pointless teenage boy thing.

[Bodger]

My step father had TB, and i recall having x rays in a converted coach that used to visit our area Holmfirth on regular visits in the 1950s

[Stanley]

I remember the mobile X Ray clinics well but can't remember when they stopped.

[PanBiker]

Never had Smallpox, TB or Tetanus so whatever we got it had some efficiency. Of childhood illnesses I had measles ( I well pre-date the MMR vaccine) which was very miserable and chicken pox which was equally bad and involved being lathered with calamine. Tonsillitis on occasion which on the good side involved ice cream as well as Dr Flemings magic pills.

Se how much enjoyment we can get from one photo of an obsolete bit of kit.

[Tizer]

Here's everything you'll ever need to know about the history of vaccines! LINK

We think we've been prevented from getting TB by having been given the BCG vaccine as children. The truth is that most of the protection came from improvements in living conditions, hygiene and diet. BCG is not very effective and researchers are still trying to find a better vaccine for the developing world.

[Stanley]

What is it?

[Big Kev]

Looks medical again. Veterinary related?

[Wendyf]

Is it a tonsil removing instrument?

[Big Kev]

I reckon you've got it there Wendy.

[Stanley]

Straight to it..... Think of another...

[Stanley]

What are we looking at here?