Pewter bleeding bowl, Europe, 1701-1900

Pewter bleeding bowl, graduated, 18th or 19th century

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Pewter bleeding bowl, graduated, 18th or 19th century
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Pewter bleeding bowl, graduated, 1701-1900

This bowl was made to be using during bloodletting – a practice once carried out to treat a wide range of diseases and medical conditions. The scale engraved on the inside of the bleeding bowl was used to record how much blood was taken. Physicians and barber-surgeons performed bloodletting as a treatment for illnesses believed to be caused by an excessive build up of blood.

Details

Category:
Therapeutics
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A43202
Materials:
whole, pewter
Measurements:
overall: 50 mm x 194 mm 132 mm, .35kg
type:
bleeding bowl
credit:
Sotheby's