Credit: © The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.10368
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    Components of the ‘Ambe of Hippocrates’: contraption for repairing dislocated shoulders

    Date
    1742
    Creator
    Claude-Nicolas Le Cat (1700 - 1768, French) , Surgeon
    Object type
    Archive reference number
    Material
    Dimensions
    height (drawing): 210mm
    width (drawing): 228mm
    Subject
    Content object
    Description
    Illustration of components of the ‘Ambe of Hippocrates’, described as a most ‘ancient and famous’ contraption. It was designed for correcting luxated (dislocated) shoulders/ arms.

    Components for a ‘new Ambe’ modified and improved by Le Cat and presented to the Royal Society.

    Fig 1 -‘The Bodice’- quilted so as to cause as little discomfort as possible. Used for attaching the patient to the chair. One strap goes around the body and the chair, the other around the shoulder of the patient; keeping the scapula and clavicle in place.

    This method was though most effective and reduced recurring luxations (dislocations).

    Image 2 from Ambi Nouveau (for reducing luxations of the arm with the shoulders rectified) by Claude Le Cat FRS, 17th Feb 1742/3. Ph. Tr. 42 387.
    Object history
    Le Cat (1700-1768) was Royal Demonstrator in Anatomy and Surgery (France).
    Associated place
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          > United Kingdom
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