‘After cutting off the umbilical cord, cauterize the umbilicus with a heated reed, or the flat of a probe’ (τοῦ πλάτεος τῆς μήλης).
An interesting passage in Aetius shows that it was used as a dissector in opening up an occluded vagina:
‘Pass a sound into the cervix, and dissect with the spathomele below the spot marked out by the sound’ (Aet. IV. iv. 96).
This probably means blunt dissection only, as none of the spathomeles found have edges sharp enough to be actually cutting. Large numbers of this instrument have been found. It is the commonest surgical instrument in museums. It must be remembered, however, that not every spathomele is a surgical instrument strictly speaking, as pharmacopolists and even artists used exactly similar instruments.
The average length of twenty specimens measured by me was 16 cm. Of this the nucleus occupies 1·5 cm., the spatula 6 cm. The average diameter of the nucleus is 7·5 mm. The width of the spatula averages 15 mm., but the size and shape of the spatula both vary considerably.
The different varieties of shape will be better understood by a reference to the accompanying figures of actual specimens than from a written description. [Pl. XII] shows neatly formed specimens from various sources; the specimen shown in fig. 3 having ornamental grooves along the length of the shaft. [Figs. 3 and 4, Pl. XIII] show coarse, thick specimens, which are most likely to have been used for non-medical purposes. All have the characteristic oar-blade shape, though the outline varies greatly. In some the blade widens out at the end, so that the tip is broad and rounded. In others the blade slopes to a rounded point, or the point is quite acute. The edges of the blade are usually thick and blunt. In some specimens, however, the edges are thin, sharp, and almost suitable for use for cutting with. These are well adapted for use as blunt dissectors.
The shaft, as a rule, is plain, occasionally it is ornamented with longitudinal or spiral fluting. More rare is a silver band, inlaid in a spiral round the shaft. I have seen a few specimens which have been entirely plated with gold.
Hitherto I have taken no notice of spathomeles in which the spatulae are not flat. In many specimens, however, the blades are hollowed. For these it seems advisable to constitute a special class, which may be called the cyathiscomele class.
Cyathiscomele.
German, Löffelsonde.