Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology Part 7

Photograph numbers are labeled "BW" for black and white negative and "CS"

for color slide. (Copies of photographs or slides may be purchased through the Office of Printing and Photographic Services, Smithsonian Inst.i.tution, Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C. 20560.) Abbreviations for dimensions of objects are as follows: D = diameter; L = length; W = width; H = height.

Instruments within each group are arranged chronologically as accessioned by the museum.

_Phlebotomy_

FLINT AND THUMB LANCETS

Flint lancets (4). Pieces of flint used to let blood by native doctors in Alaska in the 1880s. Donated by William J. Fisher late 19th century. L 22 mm, 35 mm, 43 mm, 50 mm. Anthropology vol. 30, catalog no. 127758. Neg.

73-4208 (BW, CS). (Figure 30.)

Thumb lancet, 19th century. Typical thumb lancet with steel blade and tortoise sh.e.l.l s.h.i.+eld, engraved with a crown and "Evans/Old Change/London"

(manufacturer). Purchased 1898. s.h.i.+eld: L 56 mm. Blade: L 50 mm.

Anthropology vol. 30, catalog no. 143079.

Flint lancet. "Indian scarificator" collected by the Section of Ethnology of the Smithsonian 1902. L 44 mm. Anthropology vol. 30, catalog no.

143166.

Thumb lancets (4) with case, 19th century. Lancets are engraved "S. Maw"

(manufacturer). The case is made of cardboard covered with brown leather and has four compartments. Used by the donor's father while a missionary in Samoa in the 1830s. Donated in 1936 by the Rev. Robert G. Harb.u.t.t.

Lancets: L 55 mm. Case: L 60 mm, W 28 mm, H 10 mm. Neg. 73-4230 (BW) four lancets with case; negs. 73-4226, 73-4227, 73-4228, 73-4229 (BW & CS), individual lancets. NMHT 139980 (M-4151). (Figure 38.)

Thumb lancets (2), 19th century. Lancets are typical 19th century thumb lancets. Sh.e.l.l s.h.i.+elds are broken. Second lancet is engraved with a crown denoting British manufacture. Owned by S. K. Jennings of Baltimore (1771-1854). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. First lancet: L 54 mm; L of blade 46 mm. Second lancet: L 58 mm; L of blade 42 mm. NMHT 302606.062.

Thumb lancets (2), 19th century. Sh.e.l.l s.h.i.+elds. One sh.e.l.l is marked "A. L.

Hernstein." Purchased 1976. First lancet: L 60 mm. Second lancet: L 70 mm.

NMHT 1977.0789.

Bloodletting knife, 19th century. Handle is cylindrical and made of carved wood, which has been turned, a bra.s.s ring, and an ivory tip with a hole bored through it. Blade is double beveled and engraved "Rodgers/Cutlers to Her Majesty," which indicates that the piece is Victorian. It could have been used for many purposes, including bloodletting. Purchased 1976. L 129 mm; L of blade 30 mm. Neg. 76-76108 (BW). NMHT 321697.39.

Thumb lancets in cases (8), 19th century. Seven of the cases have silver tr.i.m.m.i.n.g and are closed by a hinged cap. These are similar in appearance to cigarette lighters. The first case, made of tortoise sh.e.l.l, contains four thumb lancets (with tortoise sh.e.l.l sheaths). Two blades are marked "Savigny & Co.," two are marked with a cross on top of crown symbol. The second case is made of mother-of-pearl carved with an intricate floral design. It has s.p.a.ce for four lancets but contains only one lancet marked "Thompson" on the inner side of the sh.e.l.l cover, and a silver pincers. The scroll initials "J H" appear on the side of the case. The third case is silver, decorated with a floral relief, and contains two lancets. The fourth case is made of s.h.a.green and contains six lancets, three engraved "Savigny" and one "Morgan." The fifth case is made of s.h.a.green. One blade is inscribed "STODART." Blades are rusted. The sixth case is made of s.h.a.green. It contains one sh.e.l.l-covered lancet of a possible six. The blade is marked Paris. "J. P. Honard" is engraved on the silver top of the case. The seventh case is made of s.h.a.green. It contains two lancets, one with a pearl s.h.i.+eld and one with a sh.e.l.l s.h.i.+eld. On the blade of the sh.e.l.l encased lancet is inscribed "B. Radford, 9 Patrick St. Conn." The last case is made of leather, which is worn. It contains one sh.e.l.l-encased lancet. The blade is marked "Gouldig & Ford, N.Y." Purchased 1976. Case one: L 70 mm, W 36 mm. Case two: L 69 mm, W 33 mm. Case three: L 65 mm, W 30 mm. Case four: L 74 mm, W 50 mm. Case five: L 71 mm, W 33 mm. Case six: L 75 mm, W 43 mm. Case seven: L 68 mm, W 32 mm. Case eight: L 75 mm, W 17 mm. Neg. 76-9116 (BW). NMHT 1977-0789. (Figure 5.)

SPRING LANCETS

NOTE: Lancets are measured to the tip of the casing rather than to the tip of the blade. The blade length depends upon the setting, and varies from an additional 8 to 13 mm.

Spring lancet, 19th century. Bra.s.s k.n.o.b end lancet with bra.s.s lever release. Purchased 1898. L 42 mm, W 20 mm. Anthropology vol. 30, catalog no. 143078.

Spring lancets (2) with case, 19th century. One lancet is plain with a bra.s.s lever release. Second lancet is bra.s.s with a steel lever release and has a floral design on the front and back panels. There are three settings for the height of the blade instead of the usual two. Blade is broken off.

Case is square and made of wood covered with black leather and lined with rose plush. It is stamped "Braumiller, jun." Wood is broken. Leather and plush are badly torn. Donated by George B. Roth 1925. Both lancets: L 44 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 62 mm, W 64 mm, H 20 mm. NMHT 88734 (M-2099).

Spring lancet, patent model, 1857. Lancet has a cupped end instead of the usual k.n.o.b end. According to a.n.a.lysis by the Conservation Laboratory, the lancet is made of silver-copper alloy. A screw on the back regulates the depth of cut by moving the spring mechanism back and forth inside the outer casing. Patented by James W. W. Gordon (U.S. patent 16479).

Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office 1926. L 36 mm, W 25 mm, H 6 mm.

Neg. 73-10318 (BW) and 73-116 (CS), front view; 73-10319 (BW) and 73-11147 (CS), back view. NMHT 89797 (M-4298). (Figures 48, 49.)

Spring lancet, 19th century. Lancet is bra.s.s and has a bra.s.s lever release. It is engraved with the initials "A. F." Donor claimed it was a 17th-century import from Wales, but it appears to be a standard 19th century lancet. Donated by Edward Pryor 1930. L 45 mm, W 19 mm. Neg.

73-4235 (BW & CS). NMHT 112827 (M-2995). (Figure 105.)

Spring lancet, 19th century. Lancet is bra.s.s with a bra.s.s lever release.

Engraved "Wiegand & Snowden/Philadelphia" (manufacturer). Donated by Dr.

H. S. West 1934. L 44 mm, W 22 mm. NMHT 131386 (M-3636).

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Standard 19th century lancet with typical case made of wood, covered with brown leather and lined with chamois. Case closes by a latch, and is stamped "Traunichtessticht," which translates, "Do not trust, it stabs." Many 19th century cases were stamped with this motto. Donated by Fred G. Orsinger 1937. Lancet: L 41 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 71 mm, W 35 mm, H 18 mm. Neg. 73-4237 (BW & CS), without case.

NMHT 145365 (M-4510).

Spring lancet blade with case, 19th century. The case is made of wood and covered with red paper, and has "F D" stamped on the bottom. A piece of paper with the date "1877" is affixed to the top of the case. This is the date that the donor received the blade from his mother, daughter of the owner, Dr. Joseph S. Dogan (1793-1870), who practiced as a country doctor in South Carolina. Donated by B. F. Arthur 1937. Blade: L 42 mm. Case: L 64 mm, W 20 mm, H 15 mm. NMHT 145290 (M-4513).

NOTE: In the Wellcome Museum there are two spring lancets in a case. (R 3689/1936) One of these is marked "F. D." and the other "Fischer Peter,"

which may indicate that this is the name of the maker of all instruments so marked. The Wellcome instruments were part of the Hamonic Collections.

Dr. Hamonic listed them as 18th century instruments. Another lancet that appears to be veterinary, because of its size, is stamped "P. Fischer"

(Wellcome 13516). Note that several items in this catalog are so marked.

Spring lancet with case, late 19th-early 20th century. Tiemann & Co.'s spring lancet, a modified lancet sold by George Tiemann & Co. and advertised in the Tiemann catalogs of 1879 and 1889. Lancet is made of German silver and has a domed rather than a k.n.o.b end. It is stamped "Tiemann" on the back panel. Release lever is a short bar across the top.

Leather case is lined in red plush and has a part.i.tion in which four extra lancet blades are contained. Lancet was one of various instruments in a medical bag used by Dr. Augustus Stabler of Brighton, Maryland, who practiced from 1889 to 1914. Donated by Sidney Snowden Stabler 1942.

Lancet: L 34 mm, W 16 mm. Case: L 62 mm, W 40 mm, H 23 mm. Neg. 73-5644 (BW). NMHT 163863 (M-5141). (Figure 47.)

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Bra.s.s lancet with brown leather case. Lancet was a part of the Squibb Ancient Pharmacy, a collection of medical and pharmaceutical objects brought by E. Squibb and Sons to the United States in 1932. On deposit from the American Pharmaceutical a.s.sociation 1945. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 19 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 38 mm, H 24 mm. NMHT 170211 (M-6385).

Spring lancets (2) with case, 19th century. Lancets are made of bra.s.s and have steel lever releases. They are engraved front and back with a floral pattern. Tip of the blade of one of the lancets is broken. Case is wood covered with red leather and is missing the top. Donated by the University of Pennsylvania 1959. First lancet: L 43 mm, W 21 mm. Second lancet: L 75 mm, W 49 mm, H 11 mm. NMHT 218383 (M-9260).

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Bra.s.s lancet with bra.s.s lever release. Case is covered with red cloth and lined with black plush. Used by Dr. Samuel Fahnestock (1764-1836) or by his son, Dr. William Baker Fahnestock (1804-1886) of Pennsylvania. Donated by Capt. Henry Fahnestock MacComsey, U.S.N., and Dr. G. Horace Coshow 1968. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 74 mm, W 40 mm, H 26 mm. NMHT 280145 (M-12341).

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet has a steel lever release and is stamped "F. D." on the back panel. Other lancets have been found with these initials but so far no manufacturer has been traced. Leather of case is damaged. Owned by Dr. Harry Friedenwald of Baltimore, Maryland (b.

1864). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976.

Lancet: L 40 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 72 mm, W 34 mm, H 20 mm. NMHT 302606.008.

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Bra.s.s spring lancet with a bra.s.s lever release. Case is stamped "Traunichtessticht" (see NMHT 145365 [M-4510]). Used by Dr. Wilbur Phelps, Baltimore, Maryland (1841-1922).

Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L 38 mm, W 34 mm. Case: L 71 mm, W 34 mm, H 17 mm. Neg. 76-7757 (BW & CS), compares lancet to a veterinary spring lancet. NMHT 302606.009. (Figure 22.)

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Bra.s.s spring lancet with a bra.s.s release. Case is covered with navy blue leather, lined with chamois, and stamped with a small flower and leaf design. Owned by Dr. Launcelot Jackes of Hanc.o.c.k, Maryland (b. late 18th century). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 66 mm, W 34 mm, H 20 mm. NMHT 302606.039.

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet and case are very similar to NMHT 302606.039. The case is more rounded on top, is covered with black leather, and bears the same floral motif. Lancet blade is broken. Owned by Dr. George Was.h.i.+ngton Crumm of Clearspring and Jefferson, Maryland (1811-1896). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 66 mm, W 38 mm, H 22 mm. NMHT 302606.056.

Spring lancet, 19th century. Bra.s.s lancet with steel lever release. Owned by Dr. Joseph Tate Smith of Baltimore, Maryland (1850-1930). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 20 mm. NMHT 302606.057.

Spring lancets (2) with case, 19th century. Wood case, covered with brown leather and lined with brown velvet, has s.p.a.ce for two rectangular lancets. One bra.s.s lancet, k.n.o.b end, does not belong with the set. It has a steel lever release and three settings for blade height. The rectangular lancet, also made of bra.s.s, with an iron lever release and three settings for the height of the blade, is unusual in that it is triggered by a slide catch on the facing side rather than by a lever on top. The set was owned by Dr. Charles W. Owen of Maryland (1823-1857). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Rectangular lancet: L 50 mm, W 16 mm. k.n.o.b end lancet: L 42 mm, W 18 mm. Case: L 150 mm, W 34 mm, H 22 mm.

NMHT 302606.058.

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet and case are similar to NMHT 302606.039. The leather of the case is torn and the lancet blade is broken. Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976.

Lancet: L 42 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 66 mm, W 38 mm, H 24 mm. NMHT 302606.061.

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. The Conservation a.n.a.lytical Laboratory found the lancet to be made of a silver-copper alloy with an iron or steel lever release. It has a border around the top and along the edge and is marked "Reinhardt & C{o}/Balt{o}." Case is covered with black leather and lined in pink plush. It is decorated by a gold border and a small scroll motif. Donated by Harry L. Schrader 1972. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 21 mm. Case: L 68 mm, W 34 mm, H 20 mm. NMHT 302607 (M-14682).

Spring lancet with case, late 19th-early 20th century. Lancet is similar to the preceding lancet. It is made of white metal[B] (probably silver-copper) and has a border decoration along the top and around the edge. Case, which is badly rotted from water damage, is a folding style case and is closed by a clasp. There is a pocket for extra blades. Donated by John and James Draper 1973. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 21 mm. Case: L 74 mm, W 40 mm, H 18 mm. NMHT 304826.067.