JOHN WILKES BOOTH AND THE LINCOLN ASSASSINATION: This medical
kit, beyond its historical link to the assassination, also
serves as an excellent example of what a mid-nineteenth century
country doctor had with him when he made his house calls.
EMBOSSED LABEL READS: “F. Arnold & Sons, Manufacturers of
Surgical Instruments, 15 S. Sharp St., Baltimore.” DESCRIPTION
OF THIS PHOTOGRAPH: Dr. Mudd’s kit is displayed open, unclasped,
so the medical instruments are displayed inserted into the sewn
leather loops, each designed to hold a specific instrument in
the most efficient manner. Efficiency was important because in
1865 country doctors rode horseback to treat patients. These
surgical instruments had to handle as many potential surgical
situations as possible and still be carried on horseback in the
doctor’s famous “little black bags”. In addition to a variety of
scissors, scalpels, tweezers and probes, you can see at the top
a rounded suture needle—pinned to a piece of paper with the
number 5 on it. Next to the ne