Reproduction
Object numberRCSHC/P 110
Scientific nameEquus asinus
CollectionHunterian
CategoryWet preparations
Object nameAchilles Tendon, Calcaneus, tenotomy (experimental), Healing by First Intention, Mounted wet bone and tissue
DescriptionAn achilles tendon and part of the heel bone of an ass dissected longitudinally to show the transverse break in the achilles and the healing response to this.
Following the breaking of the tendon, the two ends of the tendon retracted considerably from one another. This section shows a compact substance of connective tissue forming to reunite the tendon, and heal the division.
This and a similar preparation are listed in Hunter's manuscript catalogue as having been prepared in 1779.
Production date circa 1779
Preparator
Owner/user
presented
Related objectsRCSHC/P 109
Physical Location
LocationOn display in the Hunterian Museum, Room 4: The Long Gallery
Physical Information
Physical descriptionWet preparation of bone and tissue mounted in a circular glass jar with glass lid.
Materialglass (material)
Dimensions
whole height: 361 mm
whole diameter: 112 mm
whole weight: 4046 g
whole diameter: 112 mm
whole weight: 4046 g
Bibliography
SourceProger 1966-1972
Vol. 1, pages 59-60.
NotesText taken from Stanley & Paget (1846-9).
TranscriptThe other section of the same parts.
In the 'Life of John Hunter' by Sir Everard Home, appended to Hunter's "Treatise on the Blood, Inflammation and Gunshot Wounds" it is stated that he ruptured his own tendo achillis, which turned his attention to the mode of union of broken tendons. He divided the tendo achillis of several dogs by introducing a couching needle through the skin at some distance from it, and with the edge cut through the tendon; in this way the orifice in the skin healed up, and made it similar to a broken tendon. The dogs were killed at different periods to show the progress of union, which was exactly similar to that of a fractured bone where this is no wound in the skin. These experiments were performed in 1767, five years before Home began to work under Hunter.
SourceClift 1830 Part 1
NotesCatalogue number 130
TranscriptThe other section of the same tendon.
