Carved Horn Hand Made Steel Medical Doctors Blood Letting Tool Edinburgh Antique Georgian c1770
VVV4075744T
£405.00
Antique latter 18th Century Rare example of a surviving Blood Letting tool which would have been used by a doctor to open a patients veins for bleeding, based on the science of Humors of the Body.
Bloodletting was a 2,000-year-old medical practice based on the theory of four bodily humors, blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile which required balance for health. Rooted in ancient Greece, it treated illness by removing excess blood (often seen as "hot and moist") to fix imbalances. Physicians like Galen believed this cured diseases, continuing into the 19th century using lancets, fleams, or leeches.
A traditional styled folding piece with three fittings mounted within a brass and steel lined case adorned with Horn panels to either side.
Very good condition for age the tool when closed shut measures 9.5 cm in length marked to the steel for 'Tennant - Edinburgh'..
An interesting collectible piece and a fantastic addition to the curio cabinet.
weight : 130.2 grams