Dental key
HC.J.3.X.1
Early metal dental key. The slightly thickened end of the shaft serves as a bolster. One bifurcated claw. Centre of the shaft is thicker that two edges. Center has some ornamental ribbing.
The handle unscrews to be used as a punch. Handle has a chiseled edge on one side and a rounded edge on the other. The screw-out handle serving as a punch, slightly swollen shaft, serving as a bolster, with a fixed single claw.
Mid 18th century.
Menzies Campbell asserts that the first illustration, and thus the earliest dissemination of the design, is to be found in Medical Essays and Observations, Volume 5, Parts 1, Philosophical Society of Edinburgh, 1742. Campbell continues, “This was due to Alexander Monro, primus (1697-1767) who, therein, describes a key which he had received from Dr John Fothergill (1712-1790). He mentioned that he had substituted a wooden handle for a small cross-bar of iron.” (Menzies Campbell, 1966, p. 12). This suggests that this example may be counted amongst the earliest extant versions.
Eighteenth century, mid
