Surgical Set

Surgical Set

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Description
This surgical set belonged to Charles McKnight (1750-1791), a physician who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and then practiced medicine in New York City.
Charles McKnight graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1771, and then studied medicine under Dr. William Shippen, of Philadelphia. He joined the Continental Army before completing his studies. In 1777 he was appointed Surgeon General (Senior Surgeon) of the so-called "flying hospital" of the Middle Department. He moved with Washington's army and was with them during the harsh winter of 1779-80 at Jockey Hollow, New Jersey. After the war, McKnight became one of the original members of the Society of the Cincinnati. He practiced medicine in New York City and served as professor of Anatomy at Columbia College until his death in 1791, at age 41.
Object Name
Surgeon's Kit
surgical set
date made
18th century
Measurements
overall: 6.4 cm x 54 cm x 23 cm; 2 17/32 in x 21 1/4 in x 9 1/16 in
ID Number
1979.0264.01
accession number
1979.0264
catalog number
1979.0264.01
Credit Line
Gift of Rosalie F. Bailey
subject
Revolutionary War
American Revolution
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Medicine
Exhibition
Price of Freedom
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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