Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology Part 9

Scarificator, 10 blades, patent model, 1851. Patented by Frederick Leypoldt of Philadelphia (U.S. patent 8095). This is a flattened model of scarificator made of a copper-zinc-nickel alloy known as "nickel-silver,"

or German silver. The innovation in this patent model was a flat lever extending from the side instead of the top, which fits into slots in two racks which move back and forth and turn the pinions of the blade rods.

Blades cut in opposite directions. Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office 1926. L 42 mm, W 40 mm, H 16 mm. Neg. 76-9112 (BW). NMHT 89797 (M-4293).

(Figure 78.)

Scarificator, 12 blades, 19th century. Octagonal scarificator in which blades cut in the same direction. Donated by Dr. George B. Roth 1928. L 44 mm, W 40 mm, H 38 mm. Neg. 76-7744 (BW, CS). NMHT 99749 (M-2336). (Figure 106.)

Scarificator, 12 blades, late 19th century. Octagonal scarificator; blades cut in opposite directions. Used by the donor's father. Donated by Aida Doyle 1932. L 48 mm, W 42 mm, H 34 mm. NMHT 118000 (M-3182).

Scarificator, 10 blades, early 19th century. Octagonal scarificator with blades cutting in the same direction. Donated by H. S. West 1934. L 46 mm, W 44 mm, H 34 mm. NMHT 131386 (M-3635).

Scarificator, 16 blades, early 19th century. This scarificator is typical of Germanic manufacture during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It is square, hand engraved, and has pointed blades. Blades are arranged on three rods that turn in the same direction. Engraved "J. T./Wien." Vienna was the center of early scarificator manufacture. Scarificator said by donor to date from 1806. Donated by the University of Pennsylvania 1959. L 35 mm, W 34 mm, H 39 mm. Neg. 73-4212 (BW, CS). NMHT 218383 (M-9257).

(Figure 60.)

Scarificator, 16 blades, 19th century. Square scarificator, made somewhat later than the previous one because the blades are no longer pointed.

Donated by the University of Pennsylvania 1959. L 36 mm, W 36 mm, H 32 mm.

NMHT 218383 (M-9258).

Scarificator, 16 blades, late 18th-early 19th century. Square scarificator. Donated by the University of Pennsylvania 1959. L 40 mm, W 30 mm, H 32 mm. Neg. 61130-B (BW). NMHT 218383 (M-9259).

Scarificator with case, 4 blades, 19th century. Small octagonal scarificator used for cutting the temples. Bottom of scarificator is engraved with an American eagle. Case is covered with navy blue leather, lined with purple plush, and closed by a latch. Purchased 1960.

Scarificator: L 28 mm, W 26 mm, H 26 mm. Case: L 42 mm, W 40 mm, H 60 mm.

Neg. 76-7745 (BW, CS). NMHT 233056 (M-9639). (Figure 107.)

Scarificator, 12 blades, 19th century. This octagonal scarificator is significant in that it bears a French patent. Turning the large wing-shaped handle on the top of the instrument c.o.c.ks the blades, and turning a small key on the side regulates the depth of cut of the blades.

Blades cut in opposite directions. Scarificator engraved "Brevete, S.G.D.

Gouv." Purchased 1964. L 42 mm, W 38 mm, H 32 mm. NMHT 254866 (M-10695).

Scarificator with case, 12 blades, 19th century. This is the market version of Tiemann's patent scarificator (NMHT 89797 [M-4289]), with a bone handle. Engraved "Geo. Tiemann/Patent/August 20/1846." This scarificator was advertised as late as 1889. Purchased 1964. Scarificator: L 172 mm, W 45 mm, H 45 mm. Neg. 73-4237-D (CS). NMHT 254866 (M-10700).

Scarificator, 13 blades, 19th century. Octagonal scarificator with unusual number of blades arranged on three rods and cutting in the same direction.

Purchased 1964. L 51 mm, W 46 mm, H 34 mm. NMHT 254866 (M-10706).

Scarificator with case, 10 blades, 19th century. Used by Mary Fueurstien Kuhn, who practiced as a midwife in Ohio and also cupped and bled people during the period 1850-1890. Scarificator was brought to the United States from Germany by Mrs. Kuhn's father, who was a doctor. Blades cut in opposite directions. Case is covered in brown leather and lined in rose plush. Donated by Mrs. Arthur Peterman 1964. Scarificator: L 45 mm, W 42 mm, H 32 mm. Case: L 58 mm, W 55 mm, H 71 mm. NMHT 255254 (M10892).

Scarificator, 16 blades, late 18th-early 19th century. Square scarificator. Top cap has a scalloped edge. Blades appear to be pointed.

Mechanism is frozen. Donated by Harry L. Schrader 1972. L 34 mm, W 34 mm, H 34 mm. NMHT 302607 (H-14681).

Scarificator, 16 blades, late 18th-early 19th century. Square scarificator. Mechanism is frozen. Donated by John and James Draper 1973.

L 38 mm, W 35 mm, H 32 mm. NMHT 304826.066.

Scarificator with case, 12 blades, late 19th-early 20th century. Octagonal scarificator with blades cutting in opposite directions. Two stars are engraved on the top and the bottom of one side. Case is cardboard covered with leather. Owned by Dr. F. L. Orsinger of Chicago (1852-1925). Donated by Dr. William Orsinger 1973. Scarificator L 45 mm, W 40 mm, H 35 mm. Case L 54 mm, W 48 mm, H 80 mm. Neg 74-4089 (BW, CS). NMHT 308730.11.

Scarificator with case, 12 blades, 19th century. Octagonal scarificator with blades cutting in the same direction. There are two star markings on the top and the bottom of one side. Case is made of cardboard covered with black leather. Donated by Ada and Grace Abrahamson 1975. Scarificator: L 43 mm, W 40 mm, H 34 mm. Case: L 56 mm, W 47 mm, H 73 mm. NMHT 318916.01.

Scarificator, 13 blades, 1973. Unusual hand-made bra.s.s and iron scarificator, engraved with decoration and the name "Domenico Pica" and date "1793." Blades are set on three rods of four, five, and four blades (see NMHT 254866 [M-10706]). The scarificator is octagonal but much taller than the standard octagonal model. Unlike all other scarificators in the collection, the bottom opens by a hinge, and a key on top raises and lowers the interior mechanism so as to regulate the depth of cut. Blades are c.o.c.ked by a lever on top and released by a b.u.t.ton on the side.

Purchased 1975. L 50 mm, W 42 mm, H 60 mm. Neg. 76-7742 and 76-7743 (BW, CS). NMHT 320033.01. (Figure 66.)

NOTE: The earliest marked scarificator known to the authors is one in the Wellcome Medical Collection (Wellcome number R 2.852/1930 C.H.M.), inscribed 1747. The case and blade are made entirely of iron or steel. L 144 mm, W 45 mm. Another one with a bra.s.s case (Wellcome number 290 or 6 7/36, in the Hamonic Collection) is inscribed Johann Darmreuther in Vendelstein 1769. A third one with a bra.s.s case and thirteen blades (Wellcome number 13555) is marked "Jo. Bat. Boeller _Fece anno_ 1762."

Scarificator, 16 blades, late 18th-early 19th century. Square scarificator with 16 pointed blades engraved, in script, "Joseph Plunger in Brunn."

Case is covered with brown leather. Purchased 1975. L 32 mm, W 32 mm, H 30 mm. NMHT 320033.02.

Scarificator, 12 blades, 19th century. Standard octagonal scarificator with blades cutting in opposite directions. Stamped on the bottom with an American eagle, similar to that of NMHT 233056 (M-9639). This may mean the scarificators were made around the time of the Centennial. Purchased 1975.

L 48 mm, W 45 mm, H 28 mm. NMHT 320033.03.

Scarificator, 12 blades, 19th century. Standard octagonal scarificator with blades cutting in opposite directions. Engraved "H & H Hilliard/Edinburgh." Purchased 1975. L 54 mm, W 47 mm, H 35 mm. NMHT 320033.04.

Scarificator, 16 blades, mid-late 19th century. Circular scarificator with fluted sides of the type manufactured by Maison Charriere in Paris. Seller describes instrument as French, mid-19th century. a.n.a.lysis by the Conservation Laboratory shows that the instrument was made of an alloy of copper, zinc, nickel, and tin--probably the alloy that the French called "maillechort." Winged lever on top triggers the sixteen small blades arranged on two rods and cutting in opposite directions. A round k.n.o.b on the side is pushed downward to release the blades. Presumably by turning the bottom, one can regulate the depth of cut. However, the bottom is frozen. Purchased 1975. H 31 mm, D 45 mm. Neg. 76-7746. NMHT 320033.05.

(Figure 74.)

Scarificator, 12 blades, 19th century. Standard octagonal scarificator with blades cutting in opposite directions. Used by Dr. G.W.M. Honberger (b. 1819). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. L 46 mm, W 44 mm, H 32 mm. NMHT 302606.006.

Scarificator with case, 12 blades, 19th-20th century. Standard octagonal scarificator. Mechanism is frozen. Case covered with brown leather and lined with brown plush. Used by Dr. Jesse O. Purvis (b. 1880). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Scarificator: L 48 mm, W 46 mm, H 32 mm. Case: L 61 mm, W 54 mm, H 79 mm. NMHT 302606.059.

Scarificator, 10 blades, late 19th century. Standard scarificator, blades cutting in opposite directions, owned by Dr. Charles Carroll s.h.i.+ppen of Baltimore (b. 1856). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. L 48 mm, W 44 mm, H 34 mm. NMHT 302606.060.

Scarificator, 12 blades, 19th century. Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. L 48 mm, W 44 mm, H 36 mm. NMHT 302606.217.

Scarificator, 10 blades, 19th century. Octagonal scarificator of white metal with an iron lever. Purchased 1976. L 41 mm, W 39 mm, H 31 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.40.

Scarificator, 16 blades, 19th century. Purchased 1976. L 41 mm, W 35 mm, H 32 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.41.

NOTE: Additional scarificators are found under "Cupping Sets" and in the "Barber-surgeon's kit" listed under "Related Artifacts."

CUPS

Cupping cup, gla.s.s, 19th century. Large dome-shaped cup. Purchased 1898. H 82 mm, D 66 mm. Anthropology vol. 30, catalog no. 143081.

Cupping cup, gla.s.s, 18th-19th century. Hand-blown bellied cup from Hebron, Palestine. Donated by Dr. Cyrus Adler 1902. H 53 mm, diameter 31 mm.

Anthropology vol. 30, catalog no. 143155. Neg. 59139-A (BW).

Cupping cup, 12th century. Cup is made of opaque greenish gla.s.s and is triangular in shape. A vacuum is created in the cup by sucking air from the cup through a tubular extension on the side. This 12th century cup was recovered in Nishapur, Persia, by Dr. Richard Ettinghausen. On loan from Dr. Ettinghausen 1955. H 68 mm, D 42 mm. Neg. 73-4205 (BW, CS). NMHT 207389 (M-6836). (Figure 108.)

Cupping cups (2), Pewter, 18th century. These cups are similar to those found in a Revolutionary War surgeon's kit held by the Smithsonian, and may therefore be of military issue. Metal cups were often preferred to gla.s.s for military purposes because they were unbreakable. Donated by Hattie Brunner 1955. M-6829 H 42 mm, D 34 mm. M-6830 H 38 mm, D 34 mm.

Neg. 76-9109 (BW), includes German bra.s.s cup. NMHT 207399 (M-6829 and M-6830).

Cupping cup, 12th century. A second Persian spouted cup (cf. NMHT 207389 [M-6836]), also made of opaque greenish gla.s.s, but more dome shaped.

Purchased 1959. H 52 mm, D 50 mm. Neg. 73-4215 (BW). NMHT 224478 (M-8037).

Cupping cups (3), gla.s.s, 18th-19th centuries. Cups of smaller diameter such as these were used for cupping on the temples and other parts of the body with limited surface area. Cups are molded and slightly bellied.

Purchased 1964. First cup: H 54 mm, D 36 mm. Second and third cups: H 56 mm, D 36 mm. NMHT 254866 (M-10694).

Cupping cup, horn, 20th century. A horn of a cow from Madaoua, Niger Republic, West Africa, used for drawing blood as late as the 1960s. There is a small foramen at the tip for exhausting the air by sucking. Purchased 1966. L 88 mm, D 52 mm. Neg. 73-5643 (BW, CS). NMHT 270023.01 (M-11998).

(Figure 37.)

Cupping cups, gla.s.s, 19th century. Set of five dome-shaped cups ranging from 50 mm to 60 mm in diameter and 64 mm to 72 mm in height. They were dated by the seller as 1895. Purchased 1969. NMHT 287162 (M-12872).

Cupping cups (2), gla.s.s, 20th century. These two small cups were purchased about 1912 by Mr. Harry Zucker from a drug supply company on 2nd Street and Avenue B on the Lower East Side of New York City. Mr. Zucker used the cups for dry cupping only. Donated by Ruth Zucker 1972. H 54 mm, D 34 mm.