Archives: Bleeding

19th Century Hard Wood Bleeding Stick

Early 20th Century German Leech Jar

A 19th century bleeding stick or "knocker". These were used by veterinary surgeons literally to knock the blade of a fleam through an animals hide. The stick is made from a heavy hard ebonised wood but I am not sure if this is 'Lignum Vitae' (from which they were often made and whose bark incidentally was used to treat syphilis). The handle is nicely carved in concentric rings. There is an area of wear over one side of the instrument where the wood would have hit the fleam. 31.6 x 3.5 cm

A fine pewter bleeding bowl of European origin dating to the 18th Century. This small bowl 14cm x 11 cm is not to be confused with the larger barber surgeon bowls which were used for shavings and also attributed to bleeding. The cut-out of the bowl fitted the flexed elbow of a patient. The vein was lanced and the blood ran into the bowl. See picture from Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow . The bowl is attractively engraved around the periphery and the underside of the lip is stamped but this is now barely legible (see pics). In excellent condition with a lovely patina.

A superb 18th lancet case made from sharkskin (shagreen). The top is secured with a silver band and has a silver cartouche which has not been inscribed. The silver catch and hinge (secured with 6 silver pins) close with a crisp and firm click. There are four horn thumb lancets, two marked Charrière, one marked Audrey and one marked Blank de Paris. One side of one of the horn covers is shorter from being moth eaten.

A fine cupping set with 8 individually hand blown cups and a brass octagonal scarificator. Although the set was purchased in Russia, the scarificator (and the rest of the set) is of European design. Probably older than the other sets dating to the early 19th century. The mahogany box is lined with purple velvet which has signs of wax usage.

A rare early 19th C dark cobalt blue hand blown leech jar in excellent condition. There is a small old and superficial chip on the inside surface of the rim which is hard to find even when you know it is there. It has a characteristically everted lip and an open pontil. 80 x 55 mm.

A late 18th / early 19th C hand blown leech jar. Everted lip. A number of small bubbles, no imperfections, chips cracks or damage. Open pontil. 80 x 60 mm

A very nice tortoise shell etui in similar style to the 6 lancet case (above in the Etui section) but with additional bands of silver trim on the top and the bottom of the case. The top of the lid has a sterling silver cartouche without engraving. The tortoise shell is in excellent condition apart from a single superficial 2mm scuff shown in the last picture. The hinge lid and catch are all in very good condition and the lid closes tightly. The two matching tortoise shell lancets are in excellent condition and are marked "Z Hunter". Dimensions 65 x 33 x 10 mm

A superb and complete French cupping set with suction pump, connecting tube and scarificator in a mahogany box. The constituent parts all fit 'glove like' into their custom made housings. The cups and the suction syringe are marked "Charriere". The 8 bladed scarificator is in perfect working order and of superior quality to the usual nickel French examples. Although unmarked, it is almost certainly by the same maker. Size: 22.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 cm. Weight 1.4kg

A rare late 19th Century Bacon type artificial leech. The set is incomplete and there is space for a missing instrument in the box. The leather on the sides of the box has come away in parts leaving bare wood which has been blackened. The artificial leech is in excellent working condition. The lid of the case is signed and the instrument marked E B Meyrowitz.

A round brass French scarificator with 6 rounded blades in excellent working condition. The depth of cut is adjusted by turning the screwed base. The mechanism cocks halfway. The makers mark "Orthos" is engraved on the key.

A most unusual French semi automatic scarificator, signed 'R.A.M. No8 Mod Depose'. The outer casing is enclosed in a second metal sheath. When pressure is applied to the base the scarificator "fires" its 8 blades (too quick for the human eye to see). The spring loaded mechanism automatically returns to the original position primed and ready for the next release. The small circular dial when turned brings the blades into view. Fine condition with virtually no rust and fully functional (it tends to stick with repeated use but is easily reset). This remarkable piece dates to the early 20th century. I have not seen another like it.

An ornately carve silver Lancet Case by Nathaniel Mills Birmingham. The monarch’s head and date letter were poorly struck and c 1843 is the nearest estimate. The front, back and sides are decorated with fancy scrolls. The domed top is plain and has a few light bruises. The cartouche on the face has engraved initials A H. The Lid closes with a satisfying snap and opens cleanly with pressure on the fingernail catch. The matching tortoise shell lancets are all labelled Milliken. Dimensions 60 x 30 x 12 mm

A very rare miniature 4 bladed octagonal brass scarificator. (See the last slide for comparison with the regular size). The blades have some rust but the scarificator is in excellent working condition. There is an adjusting screw to alter the depth of cut. The mechanism cocks halfway. The maker's mark G Muir London is engraved on one side and there is a letter A on the other.

An octagonal brass scarificator with 12 rounded blades in excellent working condition in its original box. There is an adjusting screw to alter the depth of cut. The mechanism cocks halfway. The letters "XXX" are engraved on both halves on one side and an * on the halves of the other.

An unusual piece. The 19th century steel blade is fixed in a fixed into a wooden insert within a brass etui. The lid of the etui is cork lined, the top is decorated with a stallion and the base is decorated with concentric rings. The steel blade is still sharp and in good condition, but almost certainly older than its case (which would do for a match strike). I am sure that this was a veterinary fleam, perhaps fashioned makeshift style in the early 20th C. It was purchased from Germany. 58 x 18 mm.