Cupping set

Made:
1878 in London
maker:
Arnold and Sons
Cupping set Cupping set Cupping set Cupping set Cupping set Cupping set Cupping set Cupping set Cupping set

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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Cupping set, 1878, in wooden case, by Arnold of London

Details

Category:
Therapeutics
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A600119
Materials:
case, wood, brass and case lining, fabric
Measurements:
overall: 103 mm x 225 mm x 127 mm, .78 kg
type:
cupping set
credit:
Wellcome Trust (Purchased from Stevens)

Parts

Scarificator from cupping set

Scarificator, brass, part of cupping set made by Arnold of London, 1878

More

Inside the brass body of the scarificator are several lancets or sharp blades used to simultaneously break the skin for treatments including blood letting. The spring operated handle controls the depth of the blades. It is possible that by hiding the blades, patients may be calmer.

Developed in the 1700s, the scarificator became popular as demand for blood letting grew in Europe. Health was believed to be based on the balance of the body's four humours (blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm). Each humour was assigned different qualities. Blood was characterised as hot and wet. Therefore if someone had a fever (being hot and sweaty), they may be diagnosed as having too much blood in their system, which needed to be removed. Each person's balance of humours depended on their age, sex and their local environment.

Measurements:
overall: 58 mm x 48 mm x 54 mm, .28 kg
Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A600119 Pt1
type:
scarificators
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Scarificator from cupping set

Scarificator, brass, part of cupping set made by Arnold of London, 1878

More

Inside the brass body of the scarificator are several lancets or sharp blades used to simultaneously break the skin for treatments including blood letting. The spring operated handle controls the depth of the blades. It is possible that by hiding the blades, patients may be calmer.

Developed in the 1700s, the scarificator became popular as demand for blood letting grew in Europe. Health was believed to be based on the balance of the body's four humours (blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm). Each humour was assigned different qualities. Blood was characterised as hot and wet. Therefore if someone had a fever (being hot and sweaty), they may be diagnosed as having too much blood in their system, which needed to be removed. Each person's balance of humours depended on their age, sex and their local environment.

Measurements:
overall: 50 mm x 35 mm x 37 mm, .1 kg
Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A600119 Pt2
type:
scarificators
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Nested cupping glasses

Two nested cupping glasses, part of cupping set made by Arnold of London, 1878

More

Cupping uses suction on the skin to bring blood to the area or away from parts of the body. It has been used across the globe for thousands of years with different theories as to its use for pain, fever and illness.

Dry cupping is where the skin remains unbroken and circular marks appear on the skin. Glass cups like these were heated and placed on the body. Wet cupping is where a small amount of blood is taken. This blood letting may be done to remove inflammation or in some medical systems of thought to restore balance in the body.

Cupping is still used practiced widely today from professional atheletes to wellbeing practices in Finland.

Measurements:
overall: 73 mm 70 mm, .18 kg
Materials:
glass
Object Number:
A600119 Pt3
type:
cupping glass
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Nested cupping glasses

Two nested cupping glasses, part of cupping set made by Arnold of London, 1878

More

Cupping uses suction on the skin to bring blood to the area or away from parts of the body. It has been used across the globe for thousands of years with different theories as to its use for pain, fever and illness.

Dry cupping is where the skin remains unbroken and circular marks appear on the skin. Glass cups like these were heated and placed on the body. Wet cupping is where a small amount of blood is taken. This blood letting may be done to remove inflammation or in some medical systems of thought to restore balance in the body.

Cupping is still used practiced widely today from professional atheletes to wellbeing practices in Finland.

Measurements:
overall: 60 mm 52 mm, .16 kg
Materials:
glass
Object Number:
A600119 Pt4
type:
cupping glass
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Glass bottle, part of cupping set

Glass bottle, stoppered, part of cupping set made by Arnold of London, 1878

More

Cupping uses suction on the skin to bring blood to the area or away from parts of the body. It has been used across the globe for thousands of years with different theories as to its use for pain, fever and illness.

Dry cupping is where the skin remains unbroken and circular marks appear on the skin. Wet cupping is where a small amount of blood is taken. This blood letting may be done to remove inflammation or in some medical systems of thought to restore balance in the body.

Cupping is still used practiced widely today from professional atheletes to wellbeing practices in Finland.

Measurements:
overall: 70 mm x 30 mm x 30 mm, .06 kg
Materials:
glass
Object Number:
A600119 Pt5
type:
bottles
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Brass lamp

Brass lamp, part of cupping set made by Arnold of London, 1878

More

A brass lamp is included in cupping sets so glass cups can be heated and placed on the body.

Cupping uses suction on the skin to bring blood to the area or away from parts of the body. It has been used across the globe for thousands of years with different theories as to its use for pain, fever and illness.

Dry cupping is where the skin remains unbroken and circular marks appear on the skin. Wet cupping is where a small amount of blood is taken. This blood letting may be done to remove inflammation or in some medical systems of thought to restore balance in the body.

Cupping is still used practiced widely today from professional atheletes to wellbeing practices in Finland.

Measurements:
overall: 97 mm 25 mm, .08 kg
Materials:
brass
Object Number:
A600119 Pt6
type:
lamps
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London
Wick, part of cupping set

Wick, part of cupping set

Wick, tow, for brass lamp, part of cupping set by Arnold and Sons.

More

A brass lamp with a wick for lighting is included in cupping sets so glass cups can be heated and placed on the body.

Cupping uses suction on the skin to bring blood to the area or away from parts of the body. It has been used across the globe for thousands of years with different theories as to its use for pain, fever and illness.

Dry cupping is where the skin remains unbroken and circular marks appear on the skin. Wet cupping is where a small amount of blood is taken. This blood letting may be done to remove inflammation or in some medical systems of thought to restore balance in the body.

Cupping is still used practiced widely today from professional atheletes to wellbeing practices in Finland.

Materials:
tow
Object Number:
A600119 Pt7
type:
wicks
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Wooden case for cupping set

Wooden case for cupping set, 1878, by Arnold of London

More

Cupping uses suction on the skin to bring blood to the area or away from parts of the body. It has been used across the globe for thousands of years with different theories as to its use for pain, fever and illness.

Dry cupping is where the skin remains unbroken and circular marks appear on the skin. Glass cups like these were heated and placed on the body. Wet cupping is where a small amount of blood is taken. This blood letting may be done to remove inflammation or in some medical systems of thought to restore balance in the body.

Cupping is still used practiced widely today from professional atheletes to wellbeing practices in Finland.

Materials:
case, wood , brass and case lining, fabric
Object Number:
A600119 Pt8
type:
box - container
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London