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BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseBrass scarificator with 12 lancets and cupping set, in wooden case, by S. Maw, London, 1860-1930. Front three quarter
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Brass scarificator with 12 lancets and cupping set, in wooden case, by S. Maw, London, 1860-1930. Front three quarter
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Brass scarificator with 12 lancets
Scarificators had two uses: one was to open veins for bloodletting; and the other was to introduce substances into the body. This brass example has twelve lancets operated by a spring-released trigger. Skill was needed to make sure that the blade did not go too deep into the body. This scarificator was part of a cupping set made by S Maw & Son, a surgical instrument maker based in London. Cupping was a method of bloodletting. Warm glass cups were placed on the skin to draw blood to the surface, which was then released using a scarificator. The scarificator was introduced in the late 1600s.
Details
- Category:
- Therapeutics
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A86336 Pt1
- type:
- scarificator
- taxonomy:
-
- furnishing and equipment
- tools & equipment
- medical instrument
- furnishing and equipment
- tools & equipment
- medical instrument
