Civil War Surgeon’s Apothecary Wood Spoon, as in museums and books

This is another nice medical item being offered, it is a wooden apothecary/surgeon’s spoon. The little turned-wood spoon measures approximately 4 1/2" x 3/4". During the 19th century these spoons were used by pharmacists and doctors to mix medicines and were also known as "Salt Spoons". Civil War Surgeon’s also used these spoons for getting the correct doses of pain killers for wounded soldiers.

In the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, they show a very similar spoon (see pictures). In "Pictorial Encyclopedia of Civil War Medical Instruments and Equipment" by Dr. Gordon Dammann there is also a similar example (see pictures). This is a nice little medical piece.