Spring fleam, cased or automatic lancet
Lancets were used in bloodletting, a practice once carried out to treat a wide range of diseases and medical conditions. This type of lancet works by the blade being swiftly released to cut into a vein by means of an automatic spring mechanism. Much depended on the skill and experience of the operator in determining the depth of the cut.
The main body of the lancet is made of brass, but the double-sided blade is made of a stronger, finer metal. It is likely that this lancet would have been used on a number of patients without any effective form of sterilisation.
Details
- Category:
- Therapeutics
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A116036
- Materials:
- body, brass, body, steel, blade, steel, case, leather and case, brass
- Measurements:
-
overall: 25 mm x 70 mm x 35 mm, .05kg
- type:
- automatic lancet
- credit:
- Moos, S.