Original Civil War Medical Feeding Spoon, as in Richmond Museum (SOLD)

This is another interesting piece being offered, it is a Civil War Feeding Spoon. It is made of pewter and measures 6 ½” x 1 ½" - there are no markings. They are referred to as “Gibson spoons” because they were invented by C. Gibson of London in 1827.

The spoon has a hollow handle to allow the user to control the quantity of medicine or liquid administered by placing a finger over the aperture. The hinge opens the hatch for the interior to allow it to be filled. At times, for wounded and ill soldiers, this was the only means to care for their needs. It would be compared to the “IV” we receive today for medical treatments.

One of these medical spoons is show in “Pictorial Encyclopedia of Civil War Medical Instruments and Equipment”, by Dr. Gordon Dammann (see pictures). Most of these spoons were imported from England prior to and during the Civil War and used by both sides. There is an identical example in the Confederate Museum in Richmond, VA (see pictures).

This spoon is in very nice untouched condition and is an excellent example of a much sought after spoon. A version of this spoon is also in the "Civil War Medical Museum", in Frederick, MD (see pictures). This would make a great addition to any Civil War or Medical collection.