Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology Part 12

Fleam, 19th century. Three blades in bra.s.s case. Purchased 1976. L 83 mm, W 29 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.26.

Fleam, 19th century. Single blade in bra.s.s case. On blade is marked "ARNOLD & SONS LONDON." Purchased 1976. L 98 mm, W 38 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.27.

Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a horn s.h.i.+eld and two blades engraved "J & S Maw/London." Horn s.h.i.+eld is broken on one side, and has openings for a thumb lancet on each side. Only one thumb lancet with tortoise sh.e.l.l s.h.i.+eld remains. Purchased 1976. L 84 mm, W 28 mm. NMHT 321697.12.

Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a horn s.h.i.+eld and three blades. Purchased 1976. L 83 mm, W 26 mm. NMHT 321697.13.

Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a horn s.h.i.+eld and three blades; "G. Gregory Cast Steel." Purchased 1976. L 87 mm, W 31 mm. NMHT 321697.14.

Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a horn s.h.i.+eld and one blade. Blade is engraved "Arnold and Sons/Smithfield." Purchased 1976. L 97 mm, W 37 mm.

NMHT 321697.15.

Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a horn s.h.i.+eld, two blades, and is engraved "Borwick." Purchased 1976. L 82 mm, W 27 mm. NMHT 321697.16.

SPRING LANCETS

Spring lancet, patent model, 1849. Lancet is bra.s.s and oval shaped. A wheel and axle mechanism allows the blade to sweep out an elliptical curve. Lancet is set by a detachable key and released by a lever protruding from the side. Lever is missing or hidden inside the case and the mechanism is frozen. Patented in 1849 by Joseph Ives of Bristol, Connecticut (U.S. patent 6240). Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office 1926. L 97 mm, W 33 mm, H 14 mm. Neg. 73-4211 (BW, CS). NMHT 89797 (M-4292). (Figure 23.)

Spring lancet, patent model, 1880. Instrument is made of bra.s.s and shaped like a gun. The c.o.c.king lever is attached to both a coiled spring in the handle of the gun and an extension of the blade. Pus.h.i.+ng the trigger injects the blade. Blade is dart form with double beveled edges, as was typical of veterinary fleams. Patented by Hermann Reinhold and August Schreiber of Davenport, Iowa (U.S. patent 236084). Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office 1926. L 105 mm (to tip of blade), H 77 mm. Neg. 73-4210 (BW, CS). NMHT 89797 (M-4327). (Figure 24.)

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Bra.s.s k.n.o.b end lancet, a larger version of the spring lancet used in human phlebotomy. Case is also similar to the spring lancet cases for human use. It is made of wood covered with brown leather, lined with chamois, and closed by a latch.

Case has a chalice decoration on top. Donated by Dr. A. J. Olmstead 1945.

Lancet: L 74 mm, W 38 mm. Case: L 133 mm, W 60 mm, H 33 mm. NMHT 171080 (M-6418).

Spring lancet, 19th century. Veterinary lancet similar to the previous lancet except that the blade is larger and provided with a blade guard.

Blade guard can be set by a screw in order to regulate the size of the blade. Stamped on back panel is "F. Leypoldt/Phila." This is presumably the same Frederick Leypoldt who patented two scarificators, one in 1847 and one in 1851. Donated by the University of Pennsylvania 1959. L 74 mm, W 34 mm. Neg. 76-7757 (BW, CS), compares lancet to one used in human phlebotomy, NMHT 218383 (M-9256). (Figure 22.)

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Bra.s.s k.n.o.b end lancet with large blade and blade guard. Lancet has a rim around the top and a lever release molded to resemble a torch. Case is lined with black plush and covered with black cloth. Purchased 1976. Lancet: L 85 mm (not including blade), W 40 mm. Case: L 142 mm, W 78 mm, H 39 mm. NMHT 316478.

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Instrument is made of bra.s.s and has a ball-shaped handle. The blade is double beveled, typical of blades for veterinary bleeders. The ball handle contains a spring that is attached to a small projecting cylinder with string tied to it. By pulling on the string, one can pull the blade in, and by pus.h.i.+ng a b.u.t.ton one can inject the blade. Case is made of wood covered with leather and is coffin-shaped.

Purchased 1976. L 95 mm (to tip of blade), D of ball 34 mm. Neg. 76-7750 (BW, CS). NMHT 321697.07. (Figure 104.)

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet is bra.s.s and has a triangular shape. It is triggered by a slide catch on the front of the instrument. The triggering handle is a detachable piece that lifts off a square peg. Hinged from the side is a curved piece for ease in holding.

Screw on front of the instrument probably regulates blade depth and a rectangular b.u.t.ton at the top corner probably releases the blade.

Mechanism is jammed and the blade is hidden within the instrument. Only the bottom half of the case remains. Purchase 1976. L 83 mm, W 59 mm. Neg.

76-7756 (BW, CS). NMHT 321697.08. (Figure 119.)

Spring lancet, late 18th-early 19th century. Triangular-shaped lancet made of bra.s.s and iron and decorated with a floral design. Blade (missing) is attached to an iron lever, which, when pulled back, is held in place by a lever with ratchets attached to the facing side of the instrument.

Pressing upon this same lever releases the ratchets and injects the blade.

Purchased 1976. H 97 mm, W 80 mm. Neg. 76-7755 (BW, CS). NMHT 321697.09.

(Figure 120.)

Spring lancet with case, 18th century. This rather elegant lancet consists of a body and a detachable handle. According to a.n.a.lysis by the Conservation Laboratory, the lancet is made of ferrous metal (iron or steel). Blade is screwed into a curved lever. Pulling upon the handle pulls back the lever with the blade, and releasing the handle releases the blade. Case is made of wood, covered with black leather and lined with green silk and green plush. Seller says that the lancet was made in England, ca. 1700. This date seems somewhat too early. Purchased 1976. H 112 mm, W 72 mm (to tip of blade). Neg. 76-7753 (BW, CS). NMHT 321697.10.

(Figure 121.)

Spring lancet, 19th century. Instrument is made of bra.s.s and has an odd, irregularly curved shape. A large blade with a blade guard protrudes from the side. Blade is triggered by an iron slide catch on the front of the instrument and released by a bra.s.s lever release similar to that found in k.n.o.b end lancets. Purchased 1976. L 138 mm, W 82 mm (to tip of blade).

Neg. 76-7754 (BW, CS). NMHT 321697.11. (Figure 103.)

Spring lancet, 19th century. Instrument is made of bra.s.s with steel screws. It is inscribed on one side: "Weiss improved bleeding instrument 33 Strand London." There is a bra.s.s guard on the blade that can be moved along the blade by a screw attached directly opposite the blade. It fits into a red leather case with beige velvet lining. The case closes with two bra.s.s hooks. Purchased 1976. Case: L 92 mm, W 75 mm. Height without lever 66 mm, Width at widest point 64 mm, overall width 12 mm. Neg. 77-13961 (BW, CS). NMHT 1977.0576.01. (Figure 122.)

_Related Artifacts_

Counter-irritation device, patent model, 1860. Improved version of Baunscheidt's _Lebenswecker_ patented by Alfred Stauch of Philadelphia (U.S. patent no. 28697). Stauch added a brush around the needles and an additional spring to force the needles back after they had entered the skin. The brush could be oiled before the operation, thus saving the need to oil the wound afterwards. The device is similar to the _Lebenswecker_ in size and construction, except that it was made of a lighter colored wood and was trimmed in bra.s.s. Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office 1926. L 245 mm, D 20 mm. Neg. 72-11290 (BW). NMHT 89797 (M-4299).

Counter-irritation device, patent model, 1866. Patented by Friederich Klee of Williamsburg, New York (U.S. Patent 55775), this instrument is another modification of Baunscheidt's _Lebenswecker_. It is made of wood and bra.s.s, and is much shorter than the _Lebenswecker_ but operated in the same manner. A screw on the handle served to regulate the length of the needles. A further innovation was the addition of a diaphragm of leather through which the needles pa.s.s. The leather could be saturated with oil before the operation, thus again saving the need to apply oil afterwards.

Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office 1926. L 92 mm. Neg. 72-11274. NMHT 89797 (M-4305). (Figure 123.)

Barber-surgeon's kit, late 18th-early 19th century. Kit includes a teakettle lamp (M-6991), a deck of playing cards to amuse customers, four standard gla.s.s cupping cups (M-6686), two scarificators (M-6687, M-6688), two rectangular spring lancets in a case (M-6689), a dental kit, a barber kit, a tourniquet (M-6692), and a comb. Scarificators are both 16 blade square models. One is unusual in that only the bottom is detachable as in octagonal scarificators. The spring lancets are of an unusual shape, with straight edges and curved tops and bottoms. Donated by Mrs. Frank J.

Delinger, Jr., through Mrs. Paul J. Delinger, 1953. Lamp: D of base 65 mm, W 145 mm, H 95 mm. Spring lancets: L 49 mm, W 18 mm. Tourniquet: L 1260 mm, W 35 mm. Neg. 73-4207, entire kit plus barber's basin (NMHT 225114 [M-9399]), which is not part of kit; 73-4225, cups; 73-4219, two scarificators; 73-4221, dental set; 73-4222, barber set; 73-4223, deck of cards; 73-4224, tourniquet; 73-4234, set of spring lancets; 73-4218, teakettle lamp. All negatives BW, CS. NMHT 199536 (M-6684 to M-6693).

Barber-surgeon's sign (replica). Reproduction of a 1623 barber-surgeon's sign (original is in Wellcome Medical Museum) ill.u.s.trating the various specialties of the barber-surgeon of the period. Phlebotomy is shown in the upper right hand corner. Made by Richard Dendy of London and donated by him 1958. L 724 mm, W 624 mm. Neg. 44681 (BW). NMHT 215690 (M-7343).

(Figure 32.)

Greek votive tablet (replica). Reproduction of a Greek votive tablet found on the site of the Temple of Aesculapius. The original is in the Athens Museum. Ill.u.s.trated are two metal cupping cups and a case containing six scalpels. Replica made by Dorothy Briggs of the Smithsonian Inst.i.tution 1960. W 400 mm, H 295 mm, Thickness 30 mm. Neg. 73-4217 (BW, CS). NMHT 233055 (M-9617). (See Figure 54.)

Greek vase (replica). Reproduction of a small Greek vase depicting a 5th century B.C. medical "clinic," including a Greek physician bleeding a patient. Original is in the Louvre. Made by Dorothy Briggs of the Smithsonian Inst.i.tution 1960. H 85 mm, W 75 mm. Neg. 73-4216 (BW, CS); 73-4216-A (CS), red background. NMHT 233055 (M-9618). (Figure 26.)

Bloodletting manikin, 15th century. Pen and ink drawing in black and red inks on a folded sheet of paper with the watermark "Ochsenkapf mit Krone"

reportedly made in Southern Germany in 1480. The paper is backed at the fold by a piece of vellum. Drawing is of a man with astrological signs and instructions in German in balloons pointing at 25 points of his body, of which 4 are symmetrical. Such a drawing used in conjunction with a dial would be used to determine when and where to bleed. On the reverse are astronomical tables. According to a.n.a.lysis by the Conservation Laboratory at the Smithsonian, the paper might well date from the 15th century and the ink has been applied at various times. Purchased 1962. L 310 mm, W 225 mm. Neg. 76-13536 (BW). NMHT 243033 (M-10288).

Surgeon's kit, late 18th century. Revolutionary War surgeon's kit includes a leather case with bra.s.s handle, three pewter cupping cups, a spring lancet, syringe, two trocars, knife, probe, and sc.r.a.per. There is s.p.a.ce for two other missing instruments, one of which may have been a scarificator. Lancet has an unusual boot shape and is decorated with a floral design. It is made of bra.s.s and has a steel lever release.

Purchased 1969. Neg. 73-4237-A (CS). NMHT 285125 (M-12352).

Baunscheidt's _Lebenswecker_, mid 19th-early 20th century. Carl Baunscheidt of Bonn exhibited his _Lebenswecker_ ("Life Awakener") at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. It consists of a long hollow tube made of ebony and containing a coiled spring attached to a handle. A cap covers a plate with some thirty sharp needles. Pus.h.i.+ng upon the handle injects the needles into the skin. The devise was used with Baunscheidt's special oil, which was applied to the skin after the needles had irritated it. Donated by Grace Sutherland 1970. L 250 mm, W 30 mm. Neg. 76-7751 (BW). NMHT 287885 (M-12936). (Figure 79.)

Baunscheidt's _Lebenswecker_, mid 19th-early 20th century. Another example of the previous instrument. Donated by Mrs. William F. Press 1970. L 245 mm, W 20 mm, H 25 mm. NMHT 290304 (M-13832).

Baunscheidt's _Lebenswecker_, mid 19th-early 20th century. Another example of the previous instruments. Purchased 1976. NMHT 1977.0789.

Alcohol lamp, late 19th-early 20th century. Gla.s.s lamp with gla.s.s cap and cotton wick, used in exhausting air from cups. Used by Dr. F. L. Orsinger of Chicago (1852-1925). Donated by Dr. William H. Orsinger 1973. H 100 mm, D 83 mm. Neg. 74-4086 (BW, CW). NMHT 308730.08.

Junod's boot, 19th-early 20th century. Copper boot first introduced by Victor-Theodore Junod in the 1830s. The boot fits tightly about the foot and air is exhausted from it by means of a pump. John S. Billings described the boot as "An apparatus for enclosing a limb, and from which air can be exhausted so as to produce the effect of a large cupping gla.s.s." (_The National Medical Dictionary._ Philadelphia, 1890 p. 732.) On loan from the Armed Forces Inst.i.tute of Pathology. L 280 mm, H 430 mm.

Neg. 73-7885 (BW). (Figure 81.)

Barber pole, ca. 1890-1900. This small, red, white, and blue striped pole, with a newel post and no globe on the top, was used in Binghamton, New York. The colors are faded into an orange and tan color. Purchased 1974.

Pole L 2600 mm, W at widest point 900 mm. NMHT 312616.

Barber pole, ca. 1920. A red, white, and blue striped pole full size. It has a silver wooden top. It was used in New Jersey. Pole: L 63 mm, W at widest point 20 mm. Top: L 33 mm. Gift of H. E. Green. NMHT 322,655.01.

Footnotes:

[A] _Audrey Davis, Department of History of Science, National Museum of History and Technology, Smithsonian Inst.i.tution, Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C. 20560.