Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology Part 11

Breast pump. Hand blown breast pump with gla.s.s tube for self-suction.

Purchased 1965. L 233 mm, W 103 mm at widest point, D 70 mm. Neg. 76-7759 (BW, CS); 76-7760 (BW, CS). NMHT 260557 (M-11467). (Figure 83.)

Breast pump, 19th century. Gla.s.s breast cup with protuberance for holding milk attached to a vulcanite pump. Purchased 1965. L 242 mm. NMHT 260557 (M-11467.1).

Breast pump. Gla.s.s cup with "white metal" syringe similar to Meig's Piston Breast Pump that was sold through surgical and pharmaceutical catalogs towards the end of the 19th century. Handle is missing. Donated by George Watson 1968. L 200 mm. NMHT 281244 (M-12343).

Breast pump. Another example similar to the one above. Used by Dr. Robert E. Bromwell, Port Deposit, Maryland (d. 1906). Donated by Roberta Craig 1972. L 168 mm, D of bulb 79 mm, D 35 mm. NMHT 299502 (M-14703).

_Leeching_

Leeches. Two leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) purchased in 1898, preserved and later mounted in plastic. L of leeches 83 mm. Anthropology vol. 30, catalog no. 143077. Neg. 73-4233 (BW, CS). (Figure 91.)

Leech jar, 19th century. White ceramic leech jar typical of jars found in late 19th century pharmacies. Word "leeches" is painted in black with the symbol of medicine below in gold. Top is missing. On loan from Dr.

Frederick D. Lascoff 1954. H 242 mm, D 229 mm. Neg. 73-4232 (BW, CS). NMHT 201821 (M-6712). (Figure 114.)

Leech jars, 19th century. Elegant pair of tall Staffords.h.i.+re leech jars.

They are light blue, ornamented with gold bordered leaves in relief, and marked "Leeches" in gold on a dark blue decorated panel. Covers are perforated and have flower-shaped finials. Donated by Smith, Kline, and French Laboratories 1965. H 460 mm, D at widest point 215 mm. Neg. 73-4231 (BW, CS). NMHT 263554 (M-11504). (Figure 20.)

Leech jar, 19th century. In contrast to the other jars in the Smithsonian collection, this one is small and plain, and perhaps more typical of 19th century leech jars. It is a white ceramic jar shaped like a canister with two k.n.o.b handles and a perforated lid with its own k.n.o.b handle. Jar is labeled "Leeches" in black and stamped "Germany" and "IQ" below. Purchased 1976. It was formerly owned by Dr. Sydney N. Blumberg. H 175 mm, D 107 mm.

NMHT 1977.0789.43.

Leech jars, 19th century. Pair of tall Staffords.h.i.+re leech jars with royal blue handles and royal blue perforated canopy tops. The jars are decorated with a multi-colored floral design upon a magenta background. Purchased 1976. H 710 mm, W 265 mm. Neg. 76-7765 (BW, CS). NMHT 321697.18-19.

(Figure 115.)

Lithograph, 1814. Framed colored lithograph dated "London/1814" and t.i.tled "Leech Finders." Picture shows three women gathering leeches by a stream.

Purchased 1975. W 454 mm, H 363 mm. Neg. 76-7741 (BW, CS). NMHT 320033.08.

(Figure 85.)

Artificial leech, 19th century. Bra.s.s, cylindrical "scarificator" has three pointed blades arranged in a triangle so as to simulate a leech bite. Blades are c.o.c.ked by pulling on the handle of the device, and released by pus.h.i.+ng a small b.u.t.ton on the cylinder. Set also includes two small oval gla.s.s cups with bra.s.s stopc.o.c.ks and a bra.s.s pump, a gla.s.s tube with cork lid for collecting blood, and a ma.s.s of silvery thread. The use of the thread is uncertain. Case is made of wood covered with red leather and lined with black plush. Unfortunately there are no manufacturer markings or other clues to the provenance of this unusual set. Purchased 1976. "Leech:" L 61 mm, D 20 mm. Pump: L 102 mm. Case: L 155 mm, W 107 mm, H 45 mm. Neg. 76-9120 (BW). NMHT 316478. (Figure 98.)

Leech cage, 19th century. Tin, nickel, lead composition. The surface is worn and five holes are punctured in the hinge at one end. Purchased 1976.

L 120 mm, H 32 mm, W 31 mm. Neg. 77-13984 (BW, CS). NMHT 1977.0576.02.

(Figure 116.)

_Veterinary Bloodletting_

FLEAMS

NOTE: Widths are measured at the widest point.

Fleam, 18th-19th century. Fleam has a bra.s.s s.h.i.+eld and three fold out blades of different sizes. Donated by M. Lamar Jackson 1932. L 80 mm, W 27 mm. Neg. 73-4206 (BW, CS). NMHT 121573 (M-3462). (Figure 100.)

Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a bra.s.s s.h.i.+eld, one blade, and a tenaculum (hook). s.h.i.+eld is engraved "Proctor" (manufacturer). Donated by Joseph L.

Clough 1947. L 84 mm, W 27 mm. Neg 73-4209 (BW). NMHT 176124 (M-6480).

Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a bra.s.s s.h.i.+eld, three blades, and a knife.

Donated by the University of Pennsylvania 1959. L 81 mm, W 25 mm. Neg.

61125-A (BW). NMHT 218383 (M-9255). (Figure 117.)

Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a bra.s.s s.h.i.+eld and three blades, each marked with a crown denoting British manufacture and a "W." Said to have been made in Sheffield, England. Purchased 1960. L 97 mm, W 33 mm. Neg.

59139-H (BW), case open, blades displayed; 59139-G (BW), case closed. NMHT 233570 (M-9665). (Figure 118.)

Fleam, 17th or 18th century. Hand-made curved bar with projecting blade, described by seller as Swiss or Tyrolean. Case is wooden and hand-carved.

It is not clear whether this fleam was used for human or for animal bloodletting. Purchased 1960. Fleam: L 129 mm. Case: L 146 mm, W 47 mm at widest point. Neg. 59139-E (BW). NMHT 233570 (M-9666). (Figure 42.)

NOTE: There are two interesting early fleams in the Medical Historical Collection of Zurich University. One has a plain wooden handle and one has a turned metal handle with a metal extension.

Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a horn s.h.i.+eld and three blades. The first blade is stamped "Borwick," an English manufacturer. Purchased 1964. L 82 mm, W 28 mm. NMHT 254866 (M-10696).

Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a bra.s.s s.h.i.+eld and two blades. First blade is stamped "Harmer & Co's/Cast Steel Fleams/Sheffield." Donated by H. J.

Hopp 1970. L 82 mm, W 27 mm. NMHT 291361 (M-13828).

Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has bra.s.s s.h.i.+eld and three blades. First blade is stamped "W. Harmar & Co. Cast Steel fleams Sheffield." Purchased 1976.

L 80 mm, W 27 mm. NMHT 321697.24.

Fleam, 18th century. Five-bladed fleam said to have been made in Denmark.

Instrument appears to be hand-made. Bra.s.s s.h.i.+eld has a hinged piece covering the blades that is held closed by a bra.s.s latch. Purchased 1976.

L 89 mm, W 30 mm, H 17 mm. NMHT 321697.16.

Fleam with case, 19th century. Fleam has a bra.s.s s.h.i.+eld and three blades, engraved with a "W" over the name "Pepys." Fitted leather case. Purchased 1976. Fleam: L 102 mm, W 40 mm. NMHT 321697.03.

Fleam with case, 19th century. Fleam has a bra.s.s s.h.i.+eld, two blades, and a knife. Fitted leather case. Purchased 1976. L 94 mm, W 26 mm. NMHT 321697.04.

Fleam with case, 19th century. Fleam has a horn s.h.i.+eld, two blades, and is engraved "Green & Pickslay." Fitted black leather case. Purchased 1976. L 100 mm, W 32 mm. Neg. 76-7758 (BW, CS). NMHT 321697.05. (Figure 101.)

Fleam with case, 19th century. Fleam has a bra.s.s s.h.i.+eld and four blades.

Fitted leather case. Owner's name, "C. Famell Isleworth[?]," is written in ink on the case. Purchased 1976. L 79 mm, W 27 mm. NMHT 321697.06.

Fleam, 19th century. Bra.s.s s.h.i.+eld, four blades, and one hook. Purchased 1976. L 122 mm, W 30 mm, W with pocket for hook 15 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.17.

Fleam, 19th century. Bra.s.s s.h.i.+eld with five blades. An arrow is stamped on one side of the s.h.i.+eld. Purchased 1976. L 88 mm, W 27 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.18.

Fleam, 19th century. Bra.s.s s.h.i.+eld with three different sized blades. Case is inscribed "Gorham Parsons, Byfield." Purchased 1976. L 88 mm, W 30 mm.

NMHT 1977.0789.19.

Fleam, 19th century. Bra.s.s case with three different sized blades.

Purchased 1976. L 82 mm, W 26 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.20.

Fleam, 19th century. Bra.s.s s.h.i.+eld with five blades and one hook. On one side of the case appears indistinctly, "HOW: IN London" on each of the blades except the straight blade and the hook. Purchased 1976. L 85 mm, W 23 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.21.

Fleam, 19th century. Five blades in a bra.s.s case. On two of the blades appears "How: in LONDON." Purchased 1976. L 80 mm, W 22 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.23.

Fleam with case, 19th century. Four blades in bra.s.s case. Purchased 1976.

L 95 mm, W 25 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.22.

Fleam, 19th century. Bra.s.s case with three blades. Purchased 1976. L 94 mm, W 32 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.25.