Needle, Suturing
- Title:
- Surgeon's Needles
- Object Name:
- Needle, Suturing
- Date:
- 1775-1781
- Material:
- steel?
- Dimensions:
- H-4.75 L-21 Dia-7 inches
The top needle is about 4 inches long; the lower needle measures about 3 inches long. The gold-tinted frame is 3.75 inches square. - Description:
- Two curved, steel surgeon's needles sewn onto cardstock. The text below the needles reads: "Needles used by Dr. Eliphalet Downer while Surgeon of the Bonne-Homme Richard". Such needles would have been used for suturing wounds. The needles are displayed in a gold-tinted frame which is in bad repair.
- Provenance:
- Needles belonged to Dr. Eliphalet Downer while surgeon on the Bonne-Homme Richard during the Revolution. Famously known as the "fighting surgeon", Downer was one of thirteen Patriot medical men who fought at Lexington and Concord. Downer may also have been present upon the Bonne-Homme Richard in 1779 during its famous battle against the British ship Serapis. Despite being outgunned and less experienced, the Bonne-Homme Richard and crew managed to defeat their British foe. Downer was also known for being particularly compassionate, often treating wounded Redcoats.
- People:
- Downer, Dr. Eliphalet
- Place of Origin:
- England
- Collection Name:
- Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Hampshire
- Item Number:
- 1990.046
- Accession Number:
- 1990.046
- Type of Material:
- Objects
- Copyright Statement:
- For information regarding copyright, permissions, and reproductions contact the American Independence Museum
- Credit Line:
- American Independence Museum
- Participating Organization:
- American Independence Museum
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