2002/34

Spatula made of ivory, found at Elphick's veterinary practice in Newcastle in 1951. Donor was a general vet and horse vet until 1975.
This spatula is made of ivory. it is straight and flat with slight indents for a hand grip. It was found by the donor at Elphick's veterinary practice in Newcastle when he purchased the practice in 1951. He was a general vet and horse vet, and treated pit ponies in the Northumberland/Durham area until he retired in 1975.

1 spatula: good condition

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'SPATULA // Description // 1 spatula / - plain, and made of ivory. Straight and flat with slight indents for hand grip - // [pencil sketch] // Dimensions // 15.5 x 1.9cm (length x max. width) // Associated information // See 2002/27', MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) [2002/27] – '... // W. G. Blythman was born in 1926 and trained as a vet at Edinburgh from 1943-48. He purchased Elphick's veterinary practice in Newcastle in 1951 for £1,000. The practice was started by Clement Stephenson in 1918 - one of the first fellows of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Originally, the practice specialised in street horses. It had 10 forges because the business combined a farriery & veterinary practice. // Stephenson financed part of the School of Agriculture at Newcastle University in the early 20th century. He also became Vice-President of the Veterinary Association. // Blythman was a general vet and horse vet. He used to treat pit ponies in the Northumberland/Durham area. He was also a racecourse vet for 44 years. He retired in 1975.', MERL miscellaneous note - 'Collection of veterinary instruments and associated material // Deposited by William Grant Blythman, BSc, MRCVS, on 7th September 2002 // Acc. No. Name of Item // 2002/34 Spatuala... // These items were found by W. G. Blythman at Ephick's veterinary practice in 1951....'

1918 - 1951