Master Series Rubber Coated Stainless Steel Jennings Gag

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In later times, mouth gags were used in medical situation to open the patients mouth for examination, insertion of instruments, administration of feeding or dental care. Sometimes this was necessary because of fear, but more frequently due to illness such as tetanus, epilepsy, stroke, hysteria, coma etc. [ 2]. Since the medical use of mouth gags, a wide variety of different mouth gags, with or without tongue depressors or plates, one- or double-sided, were invented and distributed [ 2– 10].

For this purpose, the instrument features a slim wire design that easily accommodates to the face contour. In addition, the device is available in sizes that range from 10.5 to 16.5cm to accommodate pediatric and adult patients. Notes: One mouth gag; Consists of two sculpted, horizontal bars, hinged together at each end, and connected on the right side to a mechanism for adjusting the space between the bars; The mechanism consists of two handles that are hinged so as to stand perpendicular to the bars; These handles hold a ratchet between them; The end of each handle is scored by hatching on its exterior side (for improved grip); In the short physical description the gag is measured in the fully open position; When the gag is fully closed, the height is 8.5 centimeters; Both bars, and both handles, are marked on the interior with the number: “25”; The lower handle is also marked with the logo, consisting of a circle enclosing the letter “J” superimposed on the letter “S”. The Jennings Mouth Gag offers a wide range of surgical advantages. Its principal use is to provide an atraumatic way to open the mouth without damaging the temporomandibular joint. Notes: Powers & Anderson. Illustrated Catalogue of Surgical Instruments and of Allied Lines. Richmond, Virginia: Powers & Anderson, Inc., 1917:355. One was introduced in 1914 by St. Louis physician John Ellis Jennings (1863-1935). Jennings' gag is a modification of the Whitehead gag, which had been introduced some fifty years earlier. Jennings removed the built-in tongue depressor of Whitehead's gag, and simplified the mechanism for adjusting it. The Whitehead gag has two spring-loaded ratchets. The Jennings gag has a single ratchet that can be operated by the finger and thumb of one hand. Squeezing the handles together opens the gag. To close it, the ratchet is depressed and the handles pushed apart. Both the Whitehead and Jennings gags are still being made today. Exhibit HistoryNotes: Whitehead, WR. Report on the best methods of treatment for different forms of cleft palate. Transactions of the American Medical Association, Volume XX. Philadelphia: Collins, 1869. Anesthesiologists are responsible for maintaining the patient's respiration and other vital functions during surgery. Mouth gags are sometimes used to hold the patient's mouth open for dentistry, oral surgery and anesthesia.

It was obvious from the early beginning, that a reliable mouth gag was needed to keep the mouth open continuously. Besides the fact that some of the different models also fixate the tongue, other models showed a more or less tendency to slip, slide away and finally to dislocate. Especially disadvantages of single-sided mouth gags are sliding as well as the dislocation within use [ 3].

Notes: Austrian Difficult Airway/Intubation Registry, Virtual Museum of Equipment for Airway Management. http://www.adair.at/eng/museum/equipment/mouthgags/jenningsobject01.htm Accessed June 13, 2017. In german medieval times mouth gags or props were called “Kiefer- or Mundsperre” and were instruments used in torture practice. Besides the fact, that the Christian inquisition is linked with barbarous torture, it was not used principally in every cases. In the beginning of 1220 AD, torture was reintroduced though recommended in Roman law and considered as a legitimately lawful procedure. In torture, especially mouth gags were used to keep the suspects mouth open, leading to dysphagia and jaw pain, inability to speak and swallowing saliva. Additionally, liquids could be instilled causing asphyxia [ 1].