Two metal cylindrical bodies (fuel reservoirs/handles) wrapped in grained black leather A small tap/valve at the base (for fuel flow control) Additional tips/attachments (the smaller central cylinder) Presented in a black leather fold-out case with red velvet lining This compact style, with the fuel contained within the handle itself, corresponds to a system patented by Bidault in 1892, and was later produced by the house of Collin & Cie (active 1925–1947). (Cphr) The Paquelin thermocautery was invented in 1875 by Dr. André Paquelin (1836–1905). It was a revolutionary platinum cautery instrument, far more practical and effective than its predecessors, and remained in widespread use well into the 1950s. (Cphr) The device works by keeping a platinum chamber incandescent through the combustion of a mixture of air and hydrocarbon vapours. It has three main parts: a platinum blade/tip, a fuel reservoir, and a bellows. At white-hot temperature it acts like a scalpel; at dull red it is more coagulating and haemostatic.