Philip Syng Physick (1768-1861) describes a forceps employed to facilitate the extirpation of the tonsil and is credited with the invention of the modern tonsillotome.  Amer. J. Med. Sci., 1828, 2, 116-11.
A fabulous and rare example of Physick's Tonsillotome by Philadelphia maker Gemrig, polished/blued steel, ivory handle.