Brass scarificator with twelve blades

Made:
1801-1900 in Europe
Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 1801-1900 Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 1801-1900
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 1801-1900

Scarificators were used in bloodletting, a once popular treatment prescribed for a range of medical conditions, usually in combination with cupping. This brass device has twelve lancets operated by a spring released trigger. Skill was needed to make sure that the blade did not cut too deep into the body. Once the skin was cut, a special rounded glass cup could be applied over the wound. When warmed, it would help draw the blood out at a faster rate.

The scarificator was introduced in the late 1600s, but they reached the peak of their sophistication and usage in the 1800s.