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Scalpels: Scalpels could be made of either steel, bronze,
or a combination of the two metals (such as a steel blade
and a bronze handle). Ancient scalpels had almost the same form
and function as their modern counterparts do today. The two long
steel scalpels that make up the first and third columns of the
accompanying image are examples of the most ordinary type of
scalpel from antiquity. These long scalpels could be used to
make a variety of incisions, but they seem to be particularly
suited to making either deep or long cuts. The four bronze scalpels
which make up columns two and four are generally referred to
as "bellied scalpels." This variety of scalpel was
another favorite of physicians in antiquity since the shape of
its handle allowed more delicate and precise cuts to be made
(such as incisions between ribs). 
Hooks: Hooks were
another common instrument used regularly by Greek and Roman doctors.
The hooks the ancient doctors used came in two basic varieties:
sharp and blunt. Both of these types of hooks are still used
by modern surgeons' for many of the same purposes for which the
ancient doctors first used them. For instance, blunt hooks were
primarily used as probes for dissection and for raising blood
vessels. Sharp hooks, like those pictured in the accompanying
image, were used to hold and lift small pieces of tissue so that
they could be extracted and to retract the edges of wounds. 
Uvula Crushing Forceps: With
their finely-toothed jaws these forceps were probably designed
to facilitate the amputation of the uvula. This procedure, as
described by Aetius in the first half of the sixth century, called
for the physician to crush the uvula with forceps (like the one
pictured in the accompanying image) before cutting it off in
order to prevent hemorraging. 
Bone Drills: Bone
drills were generally driven in their rotary motion by means
of a thong in various configurations. Greek and Roman physicians
used bone drills in order to excise diseased bone tissue from
the skull and to remove foreign objects of considerable thickness
(such as a weapon) from a bone. 
Bone Forceps: This
forceps were used by ancient doctors to extract the small fragments
of bone which could not be grasped by the fingers. Naturally,
physicians often used such forceps in conjunction with bone drills. 
Catheters and Bladder Sounds:
Physicians in the Classical World employed catheters in order
to open up a blocked urinary tract which allowed urine to pass
freely from the body. These early catheters were essentially
hollow tubes made of steel or bronze and had two basic designs:
one with a slight S curve for male patients (figure 1) and another
straighter one for females (figure 2). The same doctors also
used simular shaped devices which were solid, as opposed to hollow,
in order to probe the bladder in search of calcifications (figure
3). 
Vaginal Speculum: Vagina
specula are among the most complex instruments employed by Greek
and Roman physicians. Several examples of such specula have survived
and they generally demonstrate the high degree engineering skill
available to the ancient doctors. Most of the vaginal specula
consist of screw device which when turned forces a cross-bar
to push the blades outwards. 
Portable Medicine Chests:
As the ancestor of the "Docotor's Black Bag," these
small chests were the portable storage units for doctors in antiquity.
Small boxes have been found containing everything from scalpels
and probes to ointments and drugs. The box pictured in the accompanying
image is made of bronze and when opened (the lid is not pictured
with the box) the box is shown to be divided into six compartments,
two of which have their own seperate hinged lid. 
