Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology Part 8

Spring lancet with case, late 19th-early 20th century. Bra.s.s k.n.o.b end lancet with bra.s.s lever release. Case is covered with brown leather and lined with chamois. Case is stamped "Traunichtessticht" (See NMHT 145365 [M-4510]). Owned by Dr. F. L. Orsinger of Chicago (1852-1925). Donated by Dr. William Orsinger 1973. Lancet: L 43 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 30 mm, H 20 mm. Neg. 74-4088 (BW & CS); 76-13535 (BW), interior view of spring mechanism. NMHT 308730.10. (Figures 7, 39.)

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Bra.s.s Lancet with steel lever release. Leather of case is water damaged and is stamped "Traunichtessticht." Latch is missing. Donated by Peter H. Smith Jr., 1975 Lancet: L 50 mm, W 25 mm (w/ blade extended), H 15 mm. Case: L 75 mm, W 42 mm, H 23 mm. NMHT 316508.01.

Spring lancet with case, 18th-early 19th century. Wooden case has a hand-carved s.p.a.ce for lancet. Lancet is bra.s.s and has an unusual boot shape. The short lever release operates a catch at the very top of the lancet casing. The large blade has a guard that is regulated by a screw on the side. Purchased 1976. Lancet: L 35 mm, W 24 mm. Case: L 68 mm, W 33 mm, H 20 mm. Neg. 76-9114 (BW). NMHT 316478. (Figure 46.)

Spring lancet, late 18th-early 19th century. Unusually shaped large bra.s.s and steel spring lancet, nicely decorated and engraved with the name "M.

A. Prizzi." Lancet is set by a slide c.o.c.king lever on the facing side and released by another lever. A bra.s.s plate at the top of the lancet can be moved back and forth by a screw in order to regulate the depth of cut of the lancet blade. Lancet comes with a spare blade. Purchased 1975. Lancet: L 86 mm. Neg. 76-7763 (BW, CS). NMHT 320033.06. (Figure 45.)

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet is bra.s.s with a steel lever release and has a zig-zag decoration on the front and back panels. Case is covered with brown leather and lined with chamois and has a small basket of flowers stamped on the top. Purchased 1976. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 19 mm.

Case: L 71 mm. W 34 mm. H 19 mm. Neg. 73-4236 (BW & CS). NMHT 321636.01.

(Figure 6.)

Spring lancet, 19th century. Lancet is engraved "F. D." on back (see NMHT 302606.008). a.n.a.lysis by the Conservation Laboratory shows that the lancet is made of bra.s.s composed of 70% copper and 30% zinc plated with a tin-lead alloy. Most of the plating has been rubbed away. The blade, c.o.c.king lever, and release lever are of iron or steel. Purchased 1976.

Lancet: L 43 mm. W 21 mm. NMHT 321636.02.

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet is bra.s.s and has a bra.s.s lever release. Engraved "Goulding/New York" (manufacturer). Case is made of wood, covered with black leather and lined with light brown plush. It has a tab closure. Lancet and case were not originally a set; the case was designed for a larger lancet. Donated by the American Pharmaceutical a.s.sociation 1970. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 74 mm. W 38 mm. H 12 mm. NMHT 321641 (M-13060).

Spring lancet with case, late 19th century. Silver lancet with a b.u.t.ton release and a border decorating the top and edge. b.u.t.ton release lancets were sold in the late 19th century for slightly more than lever release lancets. a.n.a.lysis by the Conservation Laboratory shows that the silver is not sterling but a silver-copper alloy containing twice as much copper as sterling silver. The b.u.t.ton release is made of ferrous metal plated with silver. The blade and c.o.c.king lever are also of ferrous metal. The case is made of wood, covered with brown leather and trimmed with gold leaf. It is closed by an ornate clasp made of ferrous metal plated with bra.s.s. Donated by the American Pharmaceutical a.s.sociation 1970. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 22 mm.

Case: L 73 mm, W 40 mm, H 11 mm. NMHT 321641 (M-13060.1).

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Silver lancet with lever release described by seller as dating from 1800, although it is probably of a later date. Lancet has a border decoration, and the back plate is opened by a sh.e.l.l-design protuberance. The case is covered with brown leather with gold leaf edging, and is stamped "A. St." Case is lined with rose plush below and white silk above. Lancet is engraved "Cotzand." Purchased 1976. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 17 mm. Case: L 68 mm, W 37 mm, H 20 mm. Neg.

76-7752 (BW, CS). NMHT 321687.02. (Figure 44.)

Spring lancet with case, late 19th century. Silver lancet with a b.u.t.ton release and a border decorating the top and the edge. Mechanism is frozen.

Purchased 1976. Lancet: L 40 mm. NMHT 321697.01.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. White metal including the blade, which may have been a replacement for the original. The blade is more highly polished than the case. The black case is worn so that an indistinct mark appears on its cover. It is lined with chamois. Lancet: L 41 mm, W 17 mm, blade extends 10 mm. Case: L 65 mm, W 38 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.13.

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Bra.s.s lancet with steel lever release. Case is covered with brown leather and lined with chamois.

Leather is torn and latch is missing. Owned by Dr. Launcelot Jackes of Hanc.o.c.k, Maryland (b. late 18th c.). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 72 mm, W 42 mm, H 24 mm. NMHT 302616.040.

Spring lancets (2) with case, late 18th-early 19th century. Pair of bra.s.s lancets in a hand-carved wooden case. First lancet has a steel lever release and is engraved with a zig-zag pattern and the initials "F. D."

Second lancet is shorter than usual and missing the lever release and c.o.c.king lever. Case has s.p.a.ce cut for each lancet and an additional s.p.a.ce for extra blades or a thumb lancet. Purchased 1976. First lancet: L 40 mm.

Second lancet: L 30 mm. Case: L 84 mm, W 56 mm, H 17 mm. NMHT 321697.02.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Bra.s.s decorated with flowers, has tulip and leaves on reverse side with iron blade and lever. Lancet: L 39 mm, W 21 mm. Case: L 65 mm, W 33 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.14.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Bra.s.s case is unmarked. The leather case had a red lining and a top that slips off. Lancet: L 44 mm, W 18 mm. Case: L 77 mm, W 35 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.15.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Bra.s.s case with unclear lettering "WIEGANL Phila Powten." Leather case has red lining and closes with a hook. Lancet: L 41 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 33 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.9.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Bra.s.s case. Leather case has a chamois lining and closed with a hook. An eagle on the cover is worn. Lancet: L 43 mm, W 19 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 35 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.10.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Light yellow bra.s.s case. Case is leather (worn) with a chamois lining and hook closure. Lancet: L 41 mm, W 20 mm.

Case: L 71 mm, W 35 mm. NMHT 1977.0989.11.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Bra.s.s case with small guard over blade.

Cover on the back appears to be a replacement for the original. Crude wooden case is red and worn. Lancet: L 45 mm, W 33 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.12.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Bra.s.s case with cover of the lancet missing. Leather case has a chamois lining and hook closure. Lancet: L 38 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 34 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.7.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Lancet is of white metal including the blade. The leather case has a gold decoration around the edges. Lancet: L 41 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 36 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.8.

NOTE: For additional spring lancets, see "Cupping Sets" (NMHT 268719 [M-11878]) and "Related Artifacts" (NMHT 199536 [M-6689] and NMHT 285125 [M-12352]).

BLEEDING BOWLS

Bleeding bowl, after 1740. Pewter bowl with horizontally projecting handle. Handle is decorated with cut out tracery, a coat of arms, and the name of the London maker, John Foster. Bowl has graduated rings every 2 ounces from 2 to 16. Held by Division of Cultural History, Smithsonian Inst.i.tution (Greenwood Collection). L 200 mm to tip of handle, D 132 mm, H 45 mm. Neg. 61166-C (BW). (Figure 4.)

Barber's basin, 18th century. Blue faience basin with green, red, and blue floral decoration. Used for shaving and probably for phlebotomy as well.

Bowl is indented to fit against the neck. Purchased 1959. L 260 mm, W at indentation 173 mm, H 68 mm. Neg. 73-4220 (BW, CS). NMHT 225114 (M-9399).

Bleeding bowl. Circular bleeding bowl made of pewter and typical of the bowls used to collect and measure blood in the 18th century. Such bowls were no longer generally used in the 19th century. Bowl has a plain, flat, horizontally projecting handle and graduated circles marking every 4 ounces from 4 to 24. Purchased 1976. L 233 mm to tip of handle, D 166 mm, H 55 mm. NMHT 322691.01.

Bleeding bowl. Pewter bowl with a cut out tracery handle. Bowl has graduated markings every 2 ounces from 2 to 16. Purchased 1976. D 127 mm, H 64 mm. NMHT 322691.02.

EXTRA BLADES AND CASES

Spring lancet blades (2), 18th-19th century. Used by Dr. John Cooper, Easton, Pennsylvania, great-grandfather of the donor. Donated by the Rev.

J. V. Cooper 1936. Blades: L 44 mm, W 14 mm. NMHT 139877 (M-4145).

Spring lancet case, 19th century. This case is unlike other lancet cases in the collection in that the top half is a cap which slips off. The bottom half opens lengthwise and has s.p.a.ce for a lancet and two pockets for extra blades. Case, made of cardboard and covered with black leather, is lined in tan plush. Purchased 1963. Case: L 62 mm, W 32 mm, H 22 mm.

NMHT 251481 (M-10463).

Spring lancet case, 1827. Case is handmade of wood, with fabric panels covered with gla.s.s on five sides. In the top panel, a spring lancet has been hand drawn in blue. The bottom panel contains several symbolic images and the motto, "Memento Mori." The end panel has the name of the owner, "W. M. Bonwill's/1827." The case opens by a hinge and has s.p.a.ce carved out for two k.n.o.b end lancets. Pasted to the lid is a leather pocket containing two lancet blades of different sizes. The Smithsonian Inst.i.tution also owns a matching toilet case, given by the same donor.

Donated by the University of Pennsylvania 1959. Case: L 87 mm, W 48 mm, H 18 mm. Neg. 73-5847, 73-5848, 73-5849, 73-5850 (BW, various views with toilet case)/73-7680 to 73-7693 (CS, various views with toilet case). NMHT 218383 (M-9261).

Spring lancet case, 19th century. Two part red leather case. Inner box has s.p.a.ce for a k.n.o.b end spring lancet and two spare blades. Box slides into an outer sh.e.l.l with a tab closure. Owned by Dr. Robert Moore (1764-1844), who served as President of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland from 1820 to 1826. Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Case: L 78 mm, W 50 mm, H 12 mm. NMHT 302606.054.

_Cupping_

SCARIFICATORS

NOTE: Height is measured to the top of the casing. The height may vary by a few millimeters because setting the depth of cut of the blades is accomplished by raising or lowering the bottom of the scarificator.

Scarificator, 12 blades, 19th century. Octagonal bra.s.s scarificator with blades arranged on two rods which cut in opposite directions. This is a standard English-American 19th c. scarificator. As is true of all scarificators, the blades and c.o.c.king lever are made of ferrous metal (iron or steel). Two small stars on one side indicate how the top and bottom of the scarificator fit together. Purchased 1898. L 46 mm, W 42 mm, H 30 mm. Anthropology vol. 30, catalog no. 143080.

Scarificator with case, 12 blades, 19th century. Standard scarificator with blades cutting in opposite directions. Case is wood covered with red leather, lined in purple plush and closed by a latch. On top of the case is an American eagle. Donated by Dr. D. H. Welling 1925. Scarificator: L 52 mm, W 46 mm, H 36 mm. Case: L 61 mm, W 56 mm, H 77 mm. NMHT 86124 (M-2087). NOTE: American eagles of this type were imprinted on many objects at the time of the Centennial (1876).

Scarificator, 12 blades, patent model, 1846. Patented by George Tiemann of New York (U.S. patent 4705). Engraved "Geo. Tieman[_sic_]/No. 63 Chatham Street/New York/March 1846." The novel feature of the scarificator was the addition of an ebony handle in which a coiled spring was contained. See NMHT 254866 (M-10700), which is the same instrument as marketed by George Tiemann & Co. Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office 1926. Overall L 176 mm. Base: L 42 mm, W 42 mm, H 18 mm. Neg. 76-9115 (BW). NMHT 89797 (M-4289). (Figure 76.)

Scarificator, 13 blades, patent model, 1847. Patented by Frederick M.

Leypoldt of Philadelphia (U.S. Patent 5111). Scarificator is bra.s.s, octagonal with three rods containing 4, 5, and 4 blades respectively.

Blades turn in same direction. The innovation consisted of a new arrangement of the c.o.c.king lever and spring. Engraved "F.

Leypoldt/Philada." Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office 1926. L 44 mm, W 44 mm, H 40 mm. Neg. 73-4213 (BW & CS). NMHT 89797 (M-4290). (Figure 77.)