This photograph is part of Macewen's surgical casebook in the archive collection. ]]> ]]>
This biphasic stimulator was created by Sloan Robertson to determine the boundaries of brain lesions through electrical impulses.]]> ]]> 3D Scan of Biphasic Stimulator]]> Bi-phasic Stimulator]]>

Barbara Watson c.1879 by RCPSG Heritage on Sketchfab

]]> Animation on First Brain Tumour Removal]]>
At this time, there were no methods of imaging the body non-invasively- Rontgen did not discover X-rays until 1895. Therefore, determining the dimensions of brain lesions relied on the practitioner's observations of the patient's symptoms alone. This would have required an in-depth knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the brain. Thankfully, Macewen was well-read on the current theories on the brain at that time. Miss Watson truly could not have asked for a better surgeon to help her.

Due to Miss Watson's frequent convulsions, Macewen suspected that the tumour above the left eye was in fact passing through the skull into the brain. Hence, he decided to cut into the mass and follow its trajectory. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the tumour did indeed pass through the skull and was putting pressure on the dura mater. Macewen successfully removed the tumour, under antiseptic conditions, and closed the wound. Miss Watson survived the operation and died some years later from kidney problems completely unrelated to this case.

This case became the first successful removal of a brain tumour in the world. ]]> ]]> Portrait of William Macewen
Macewen Operating Table
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This bi-phasic stimulator was owned (and probably built) by the neurologist James Sloan Robertson. Although the exact purpose of the machine is unclear, it was most likely used during surgical treatment of patients suffering from epilepsy. An electrode would be attached to the machine, which would help the surgeon to locate a lesion for removal, and also ensure that an undamaged part of the brain was not about to be removed. The device is clearly handmade, and is most likely an early prototype or precursor to machines used in later deep brain recording techniques.

James Sloan Robertson was one of the first modern neurosurgeons in the UK. After graduating in medicine from the University of Glasgow in 1920, he worked as a surgeon at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. He then trained in Canada for a year under renowned neurosurgeon, Wilder Penfield, at the Neurological Institute, Montreal.
During the Second World War, Robertson worked as a specialist in neurosurgery at the EMS Hospital in Killearn. He was one of the men behind the creation of the Institute of Neurological Sciences at Glasgow. ]]> ]]> Biphasic Stimulator]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Whitelocke; Dr.; Richard Henry Anglin (1861-1927); Surgeon]]> Has a keyed end for locating into the receiving shaft of the T-shaped trephine handle.]]> Has a keyed end for locating into the receiving shaft of the T-shaped trephine handle.]]> Has a keyed end for locating into the receiving shaft of the T-shaped trephine handle.]]> Has a keyed end for locating into the receiving shaft of the T-shaped trephine handle.]]> Transverse portion consists of two steel arms, each individually shaped to be used as:
a) A pointed elevator, and
b) A square-ended elevator.

The central receiving portion is 1.0cm in diameter and accepts the square ended trephines and the perforator. Has a steel activating clip button on the shaft.]]> Lining of case is padded green velvet with a fitted recess for each instrument.]]> Dowell; Charles Rennie (c.1876-1935); Artist]]>
A trephine is a medical device used to burr a hole into the patient's skull. This trephine dates from 1890-1940, and would have been turned manually to make a cut into the skull. This procedure would allow the surgeon to access the brain without removing the entire skull bone.]]>
Pictured here is an example of a Hey Saw, which would have been used to saw through bones of the skull. The small head of the saw was designed in such a manner so as to reduce shards of bone from flying into the face of the surgeon. ]]> S. Maw & Son, Ltd.; 1860-1979; Health care manufacturer]]> ]]> ]]> Robertson; James Sloan Mutrie (1905-1978); neurosurgeon]]>