Bob,
Very interesting image and discussion.  Is there any chance that the glass
vessels are paper-labeled?  That would help.  Another question-  Are the
vessels pontilled or free blown?  Incidentally, while the vessels appear to
contain powders, it should not be assumed that the chemicals or substances
were used as powders.  Doctors in the 18th and 19th century often prepared
their own solutions.
Allen


> [Original Message]
> From: Bob Skiles <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 7/26/2009 1:33:27 PM
> Subject: medical kit?
>
> Dear Listers,
>
> I am wondering if any subscriber may recognize what this specialized kit
of (medical ?) instruments was used for (see image at):
>
> http://skiles.net/medical_kit.jpg
>
> The kit is believed to have come from the estate of a medical doctor (who
served several terms as a member of Congress in the early 1800s); it is
suspected to have had a very specialized medical purpose, as none of the
modern medical doctors I've shown it to could identify it.
>
> ~ Bob Skiles