Henry Schively, II
was a famous surgical instrument maker from Philadelphia, Pa. in the first
half of the 1800's. His business
location was listed as being active from 1813 to 1849. He is perhaps
most famous as the maker of the 'Bowie knife', but was also a supplier and
maker of high grade surgical instruments among the physicians of
Philadelphia, a center of medical education and progressive surgery during
the early 1800's.
Henry Schively (II)
1813-14: 45 Chesnut
1816-37: 75 Chesnut
1838-49: 64 S. 8th surgical instrument maker [his son, George P.
Schively, becomes partner in 1844]
1861-73: 1229 Spruce gentleman (no listing in 1864 or after)
Reference:
Edmonson
Lithotomy sets were were
used to remove calcified stones from the bladder by incision and then purchase via
long handled forceps.
This particular set is
of interest not only because of its famous maker's name, but also because although the European makers had fine lithotomy sets available, American-made lithotomy sets from this era are extremely rare.
Source: American Surgical Instruments: American Surgical Instruments: An Illustrated History of their
Manufacture and a Directory of Instrument Makers to 1900 by James M. Edmonson, Ph.D., Curator, Dittrick Museum of Medical
History, Cleveland Medical Library Association and Case Western Reserve
University.
