Tonsillectomy guillotine. This steel instrument, with ebony handle, is English and dates from about 1850. This type of tonsillectomy guillotine was originally invented in 1828 by Philip Physick and it was used up until the mid 1900s. Tonsillectomy procedures have been carried out throughout history, they have been described in literature from as early as Roman times. The tonsils are two soft lumps of tissue situated at either side of the back of the throat. They are part of the immune system, trapping bacteria and viruses which enter the body through the mouth. They produce antibodies which help to prevent infection.