European Association of Urology
Guidelines
Education & Events
Join our events Join our events
On-demand education Learn at your own pace
Scholarships Enrich your capabilities
Exchange Programmes Urology beyond Europe
Education Educational Platforms Talent Incubator Programme Accreditation
Science & Publications
Publications Our publications
Research & Science Passionate about research?
About
Who we are Our mission and history
Our Board and Offices How we work
Join the EAU Find out about membership
Vacancies Contact

Exhibit of the Month: The “Bavarian Lithotomy Set”

Lithotomy, the cutting out of bladder stones, is the earliest urological operation; it was mentioned in the Hippocratic Oath.

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 • Friedrich Moll
Exhibit Of The MonthBavarian Lithotomy SetEAU History Office

Every month, an EAU History Office member chooses an item of particular interest from the European Museum of Urology. This instrument was chosen by Dr Friedrich Moll, Urologist at the University of Cologne Medical Centre and curator of the collections of the DGU.

Lithotomy, the cutting out of bladder stones, is the earliest urological operation; it was mentioned in the Hippocratic Oath. Since ancient times lithotomy sets were assembled in special cases so the instruments were all at hand for operations and there are fine examples from excavations.

For me this set is worth special mention because it shows the status that the science of urology had reached by the turn of the 20th century when “blind” lithotrity had substituted the old open operations of the ancients. These “blind” operations were commonly carried out in the German-speaking urologic centres at Wildungen, Brückenau and Marienbad (today’s Mariánské Lázně, Czech Republic).

This set was presented to the Bavarian urologist Dr. Conrad Schneider (1861–1944) of Munich but it appears it was never used. It was produced by the famous Munich instrument company of Hermann Katsch (1837 -1891), later on owned by Karl Koch & Norbert Iblherr. Cutlers and instrument makers to the university. The company was located at Schillerstrasse 17 and later Bayernstrasse 25.

It combines instruments for both open lithotomy and “blind” lithotrity including, lithotrites, stone forceps and sounds.

Further reading on the European Museum of Urology >

Enlarge image

Share this article

Suggested for you

See all
About EAU
  • Who we are
  • How we work
  • Become a member
Services
  • MyEAU
  • Congress registrations
  • Abstract submission
Media
  • EAU News
  • EAU Newsletter
  • EAU Press Releases
Contact
  • EAU Central Office
    PO Box 30016
    NL-6803 AA ARNHEM
    The Netherlands

  • Contact us
About EAU
Who we areHow we workBecome a member
Services
MyEAUCongress registrationsAbstract submission
Media
EAU NewsEAU NewsletterEAU Press Releases
Contact

EAU Central Office
PO Box 30016
NL-6803 AA ARNHEM
The Netherlands

Contact us
European Association of Urology
Privacy PolicyDisclaimer