Scarificator and Scarification

Very early example of a scarificator circa. 1750

Bloodletting is the withdrawal of often little quantities of blood from a patient to cure or prevent illness or disease. Bloodletting is one of the oldest medical practices, having been practiced among ancient people including Egyptians, Greeks, Mayans and Aztecs. 

In scarification superficial vessels were attacked using either a syringe, a glass cup that contained heated air or a spring-loaded lancet. The spring-loaded lancet, pictured above and known as a scarificator, was primarily used in the 19th century. The base is brass and the mechanics and blades are steel. One knife bar gear has slipped teeth, turning the blades in a different direction than those on the other bars.

Bloodletting was used to treat almost every disease.

More images are available at our product page where we have a very early example of a scarificator for sale.

Posted in: Antiques, Collectables