I did a little focused googling and found a site that has this item identified as a "tobacco smoke enema" kit (c. 1750s-1810s). Indeed, it looks like the very same scan as your image. The description almost sounds a bit bogus, but I haven't looked elsewhere into the history of smoke enemas. (Sounds like a job for Smoke <g>) Would be interesting to know if this is truthfully the source of the expression "blowing smoke up one's..." etc. See:
<http://medgadget.com/archives/the_good_old_days/>
Regarding the vampire-killing kit -- I could almost see this as a manufactured 'antique' to sell to wealthy suckers. As I recall, the modern concept of vampires (i.e., predominantly from literature & popular culture) is relatively new. I'd be even more suspicious if any of the items appeared to be used. ;)
Marty Perdue
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----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Skiles
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:31:27 +0000 (UTC)
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