Part 7

Bloodletting knife, 19th century. Handle is cylindrical and made of carved wood, which has been turned, a brass ring, and an ivory tip with a hole bored through it. Blade is double beveled and engraved "Rodgers/Cutlers to Her Majesty," which indicates that the piece is Victorian. It could have been used for many purposes, including bloodletting. Purchased 1976. L 129 mm; L of blade 30 mm. Neg. 76-76108 (BW). NMHT 321697.39.

Thumb lancets in cases (8), 19th century. Seven of the cases have silver trimming and are closed by a hinged cap. These are similar in appearance to cigarette lighters. The first case, made of tortoise shell, contains four thumb lancets (with tortoise shell sheaths). Two blades are marked "Savigny & Co.," two are marked with a cross on top of crown symbol. The second case is made of mother-of-pearl carved with an intricate floral design. It has space for four lancets but contains only one lancet marked "Thompson" on the inner side of the shell cover, and a silver pincers. The scroll initials "J H" appear on the side of the case. The third case is silver, decorated with a floral relief, and contains two lancets. The fourth case is made of shagreen and contains six lancets, three engraved "Savigny" and one "Morgan." The fifth case is made of shagreen. One blade is inscribed "STODART." Blades are rusted. The sixth case is made of shagreen. It contains one shell-covered lancet of a possible six. The blade is marked Paris. "J. P. Honard" is engraved on the silver top of the case. The seventh case is made of shagreen. It contains two lancets, one with a pearl shield and one with a shell shield. On the blade of the shell encased lancet is inscribed "B. Radford, 9 Patrick St. Conn." The last case is made of leather, which is worn. It contains one shell-encased lancet. The blade is marked "Gouldig & Ford, N.Y." Purchased 1976. Case one: L 70 mm, W 36 mm. Case two: L 69 mm, W 33 mm. Case three: L 65 mm, W 30 mm. Case four: L 74 mm, W 50 mm. Case five: L 71 mm, W 33 mm. Case six: L 75 mm, W 43 mm. Case seven: L 68 mm, W 32 mm. Case eight: L 75 mm, W 17 mm. Neg. 76-9116 (BW). NMHT 1977-0789. (Figure 5.)

SPRING LANCETS

NOTE: Lancets are measured to the tip of the casing rather than to the tip of the blade. The blade length depends upon the setting, and varies from an additional 8 to 13 mm.

Spring lancet, 19th century. Brass Knob end lancet with brass lever release. Purchased 1898. L 42 mm, W 20 mm. Anthropology vol. 30, catalog no. 143078.

Spring lancets (2) with case, 19th century. One lancet is plain with a brass lever release. Second lancet is brass with a steel lever release and has a floral design on the front and back panels. There are three settings for the height of the blade instead of the usual two. Blade is broken off. Case is square and made of wood covered with black leather and lined with rose plush. It is stamped "Braumiller, jun." Wood is broken. Leather and plush are badly torn. Donated by George B. Roth 1925. Both lancets: L 44 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 62 mm, W 64 mm, H 20 mm. NMHT 88734 (M-2099).

Spring lancet, patent model, 1857. Lancet has a cupped end instead of the usual knob end. According to analysis by the Conservation Laboratory, the lancet is made of silver-copper alloy. A screw on the back regulates the depth of cut by moving the spring mechanism back and forth inside the outer casing. Patented by James W. W. Gordon (U.S. patent 16479). Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office 1926. L 36 mm, W 25 mm, H 6 mm. Neg. 73-10318 (BW) and 73-116 (CS), front view; 73-10319 (BW) and 73-11147 (CS), back view. NMHT 89797 (M-4298). (Figures 48, 49.)

Spring lancet, 19th century. Lancet is brass and has a brass lever release. It is engraved with the initials "A. F." Donor claimed it was a 17th-century import from Wales, but it appears to be a standard 19th century lancet. Donated by Edward Pryor 1930. L 45 mm, W 19 mm. Neg. 73-4235 (BW & CS). NMHT 112827 (M-2995). (Figure 105.)

Spring lancet, 19th century. Lancet is brass with a brass lever release. Engraved "Wiegand & Snowden/Philadelphia" (manufacturer). Donated by Dr. H. S. West 1934. L 44 mm, W 22 mm. NMHT 131386 (M-3636).

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Standard 19th century lancet with typical case made of wood, covered with brown leather and lined with chamois. Case closes by a latch, and is stamped "Traunichtessticht," which translates, "Do not trust, it stabs." Many 19th century cases were stamped with this motto. Donated by Fred G. Orsinger 1937. Lancet: L 41 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 71 mm, W 35 mm, H 18 mm. Neg. 73-4237 (BW & CS), without case. NMHT 145365 (M-4510).

Spring lancet blade with case, 19th century. The case is made of wood and covered with red paper, and has "F D" stamped on the bottom. A piece of paper with the date "1877" is affixed to the top of the case. This is the date that the donor received the blade from his mother, daughter of the owner, Dr. Joseph S. Dogan (1793-1870), who practiced as a country doctor in South Carolina. Donated by B. F. Arthur 1937. Blade: L 42 mm. Case: L 64 mm, W 20 mm, H 15 mm. NMHT 145290 (M-4513).

NOTE: In the Wellcome Museum there are two spring lancets in a case. (R 3689/1936) One of these is marked "F. D." and the other "Fischer Peter," which may indicate that this is the name of the maker of all instruments so marked. The Wellcome instruments were part of the Hamonic Collections. Dr. Hamonic listed them as 18th century instruments. Another lancet that appears to be veterinary, because of its size, is stamped "P. Fischer" (Wellcome 13516). Note that several items in this catalog are so marked.

Spring lancet with case, late 19th-early 20th century. Tiemann & Co.'s spring lancet, a modified lancet sold by George Tiemann & Co. and advertised in the Tiemann catalogs of 1879 and 1889. Lancet is made of German silver and has a domed rather than a knob end. It is stamped "Tiemann" on the back panel. Release lever is a short bar across the top. Leather case is lined in red plush and has a partition in which four extra lancet blades are contained. Lancet was one of various instruments in a medical bag used by Dr. Augustus Stabler of Brighton, Maryland, who practiced from 1889 to 1914. Donated by Sidney Snowden Stabler 1942. Lancet: L 34 mm, W 16 mm. Case: L 62 mm, W 40 mm, H 23 mm. Neg. 73-5644 (BW). NMHT 163863 (M-5141). (Figure 47.)

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Brass lancet with brown leather case. Lancet was a part of the Squibb Ancient Pharmacy, a collection of medical and pharmaceutical objects brought by E. Squibb and Sons to the United States in 1932. On deposit from the American Pharmaceutical Association 1945. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 19 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 38 mm, H 24 mm. NMHT 170211 (M-6385).

Spring lancets (2) with case, 19th century. Lancets are made of brass and have steel lever releases. They are engraved front and back with a floral pattern. Tip of the blade of one of the lancets is broken. Case is wood covered with red leather and is missing the top. Donated by the University of Pennsylvania 1959. First lancet: L 43 mm, W 21 mm. Second lancet: L 75 mm, W 49 mm, H 11 mm. NMHT 218383 (M-9260).

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Brass lancet with brass lever release. Case is covered with red cloth and lined with black plush. Used by Dr. Samuel Fahnestock (1764-1836) or by his son, Dr. William Baker Fahnestock (1804-1886) of Pennsylvania. Donated by Capt. Henry Fahnestock MacComsey, U.S.N., and Dr. G. Horace Coshow 1968. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 74 mm, W 40 mm, H 26 mm. NMHT 280145 (M-12341).

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet has a steel lever release and is stamped "F. D." on the back panel. Other lancets have been found with these initials but so far no manufacturer has been traced. Leather of case is damaged. Owned by Dr. Harry Friedenwald of Baltimore, Maryland (b. 1864). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 72 mm, W 34 mm, H 20 mm. NMHT 302606.008.

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Brass spring lancet with a brass lever release. Case is stamped "Traunichtessticht" (see NMHT 145365 [M-4510]). Used by Dr. Wilbur Phelps, Baltimore, Maryland (1841-1922). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L 38 mm, W 34 mm. Case: L 71 mm, W 34 mm, H 17 mm. Neg. 76-7757 (BW & CS), compares lancet to a veterinary spring lancet. NMHT 302606.009. (Figure 22.)

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Brass spring lancet with a brass release. Case is covered with navy blue leather, lined with chamois, and stamped with a small flower and leaf design. Owned by Dr. Launcelot Jackes of Hancock, Maryland (b. late 18th century). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 66 mm, W 34 mm, H 20 mm. NMHT 302606.039.

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet and case are very similar to NMHT 302606.039. The case is more rounded on top, is covered with black leather, and bears the same floral motif. Lancet blade is broken. Owned by Dr. George Washington Crumm of Clearspring and Jefferson, Maryland (1811-1896). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 66 mm, W 38 mm, H 22 mm. NMHT 302606.056.

Spring lancet, 19th century. Brass lancet with steel lever release. Owned by Dr. Joseph Tate Smith of Baltimore, Maryland (1850-1930). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 20 mm. NMHT 302606.057.

Spring lancets (2) with case, 19th century. Wood case, covered with brown leather and lined with brown velvet, has space for two rectangular lancets. One brass lancet, knob end, does not belong with the set. It has a steel lever release and three settings for blade height. The rectangular lancet, also made of brass, with an iron lever release and three settings for the height of the blade, is unusual in that it is triggered by a slide catch on the facing side rather than by a lever on top. The set was owned by Dr. Charles W. Owen of Maryland (1823-1857). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Rectangular lancet: L 50 mm, W 16 mm. Knob end lancet: L 42 mm, W 18 mm. Case: L 150 mm, W 34 mm, H 22 mm. NMHT 302606.058.

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet and case are similar to NMHT 302606.039. The leather of the case is torn and the lancet blade is broken. Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 66 mm, W 38 mm, H 24 mm. NMHT 302606.061.

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. The Conservation Analytical Laboratory found the lancet to be made of a silver-copper alloy with an iron or steel lever release. It has a border around the top and along the edge and is marked "Reinhardt & C{o}/Balt{o}." Case is covered with black leather and lined in pink plush. It is decorated by a gold border and a small scroll motif. Donated by Harry L. Schrader 1972. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 21 mm. Case: L 68 mm, W 34 mm, H 20 mm. NMHT 302607 (M-14682).

Spring lancet with case, late 19th-early 20th century. Lancet is similar to the preceding lancet. It is made of white metal[B] (probably silver-copper) and has a border decoration along the top and around the edge. Case, which is badly rotted from water damage, is a folding style case and is closed by a clasp. There is a pocket for extra blades. Donated by John and James Draper 1973. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 21 mm. Case: L 74 mm, W 40 mm, H 18 mm. NMHT 304826.067.

Spring lancet with case, late 19th-early 20th century. Brass knob end lancet with brass lever release. Case is covered with brown leather and lined with chamois. Case is stamped "Traunichtessticht" (See NMHT 145365 [M-4510]). Owned by Dr. F. L. Orsinger of Chicago (1852-1925). Donated by Dr. William Orsinger 1973. Lancet: L 43 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 30 mm, H 20 mm. Neg. 74-4088 (BW & CS); 76-13535 (BW), interior view of spring mechanism. NMHT 308730.10. (Figures 7, 39.)

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Brass Lancet with steel lever release. Leather of case is water damaged and is stamped "Traunichtessticht." Latch is missing. Donated by Peter H. Smith Jr., 1975 Lancet: L 50 mm, W 25 mm (w/ blade extended), H 15 mm. Case: L 75 mm, W 42 mm, H 23 mm. NMHT 316508.01.

Spring lancet with case, 18th-early 19th century. Wooden case has a hand-carved space for lancet. Lancet is brass and has an unusual boot shape. The short lever release operates a catch at the very top of the lancet casing. The large blade has a guard that is regulated by a screw on the side. Purchased 1976. Lancet: L 35 mm, W 24 mm. Case: L 68 mm, W 33 mm, H 20 mm. Neg. 76-9114 (BW). NMHT 316478. (Figure 46.)

Spring lancet, late 18th-early 19th century. Unusually shaped large brass and steel spring lancet, nicely decorated and engraved with the name "M. A. Prizzi." Lancet is set by a slide cocking lever on the facing side and released by another lever. A brass plate at the top of the lancet can be moved back and forth by a screw in order to regulate the depth of cut of the lancet blade. Lancet comes with a spare blade. Purchased 1975. Lancet: L 86 mm. Neg. 76-7763 (BW, CS). NMHT 320033.06. (Figure 45.)

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet is brass with a steel lever release and has a zig-zag decoration on the front and back panels. Case is covered with brown leather and lined with chamois and has a small basket of flowers stamped on the top. Purchased 1976. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 19 mm. Case: L 71 mm. W 34 mm. H 19 mm. Neg. 73-4236 (BW & CS). NMHT 321636.01. (Figure 6.)

Spring lancet, 19th century. Lancet is engraved "F. D." on back (see NMHT 302606.008). Analysis by the Conservation Laboratory shows that the lancet is made of brass composed of 70% copper and 30% zinc plated with a tin-lead alloy. Most of the plating has been rubbed away. The blade, cocking lever, and release lever are of iron or steel. Purchased 1976. Lancet: L 43 mm. W 21 mm. NMHT 321636.02.

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Lancet is brass and has a brass lever release. Engraved "Goulding/New York" (manufacturer). Case is made of wood, covered with black leather and lined with light brown plush. It has a tab closure. Lancet and case were not originally a set; the case was designed for a larger lancet. Donated by the American Pharmaceutical Association 1970. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 74 mm. W 38 mm. H 12 mm. NMHT 321641 (M-13060).

Spring lancet with case, late 19th century. Silver lancet with a button release and a border decorating the top and edge. Button release lancets were sold in the late 19th century for slightly more than lever release lancets. Analysis by the Conservation Laboratory shows that the silver is not sterling but a silver-copper alloy containing twice as much copper as sterling silver. The button release is made of ferrous metal plated with silver. The blade and cocking lever are also of ferrous metal. The case is made of wood, covered with brown leather and trimmed with gold leaf. It is closed by an ornate clasp made of ferrous metal plated with brass. Donated by the American Pharmaceutical Association 1970. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 73 mm, W 40 mm, H 11 mm. NMHT 321641 (M-13060.1).

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Silver lancet with lever release described by seller as dating from 1800, although it is probably of a later date. Lancet has a border decoration, and the back plate is opened by a shell-design protuberance. The case is covered with brown leather with gold leaf edging, and is stamped "A. St." Case is lined with rose plush below and white silk above. Lancet is engraved "Cotzand." Purchased 1976. Lancet: L 42 mm, W 17 mm. Case: L 68 mm, W 37 mm, H 20 mm. Neg. 76-7752 (BW, CS). NMHT 321687.02. (Figure 44.)

Spring lancet with case, late 19th century. Silver lancet with a button release and a border decorating the top and the edge. Mechanism is frozen. Purchased 1976. Lancet: L 40 mm. NMHT 321697.01.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. White metal including the blade, which may have been a replacement for the original. The blade is more highly polished than the case. The black case is worn so that an indistinct mark appears on its cover. It is lined with chamois. Lancet: L 41 mm, W 17 mm, blade extends 10 mm. Case: L 65 mm, W 38 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.13.

Spring lancet with case, 19th century. Brass lancet with steel lever release. Case is covered with brown leather and lined with chamois. Leather is torn and latch is missing. Owned by Dr. Launcelot Jackes of Hancock, Maryland (b. late 18th c.). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Lancet: L 40 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 72 mm, W 42 mm, H 24 mm. NMHT 302616.040.

Spring lancets (2) with case, late 18th-early 19th century. Pair of brass lancets in a hand-carved wooden case. First lancet has a steel lever release and is engraved with a zig-zag pattern and the initials "F. D." Second lancet is shorter than usual and missing the lever release and cocking lever. Case has space cut for each lancet and an additional space for extra blades or a thumb lancet. Purchased 1976. First lancet: L 40 mm. Second lancet: L 30 mm. Case: L 84 mm, W 56 mm, H 17 mm. NMHT 321697.02.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Brass decorated with flowers, has tulip and leaves on reverse side with iron blade and lever. Lancet: L 39 mm, W 21 mm. Case: L 65 mm, W 33 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.14.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Brass case is unmarked. The leather case had a red lining and a top that slips off. Lancet: L 44 mm, W 18 mm. Case: L 77 mm, W 35 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.15.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Brass case with unclear lettering "WIEGANL Phila Powten." Leather case has red lining and closes with a hook. Lancet: L 41 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 33 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.9.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Brass case. Leather case has a chamois lining and closed with a hook. An eagle on the cover is worn. Lancet: L 43 mm, W 19 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 35 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.10.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Light yellow brass case. Case is leather (worn) with a chamois lining and hook closure. Lancet: L 41 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 71 mm, W 35 mm. NMHT 1977.0989.11.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Brass case with small guard over blade. Cover on the back appears to be a replacement for the original. Crude wooden case is red and worn. Lancet: L 45 mm, W 33 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.12.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Brass case with cover of the lancet missing. Leather case has a chamois lining and hook closure. Lancet: L 38 mm, W 20 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 34 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.7.

Spring lancet, late 19th century. Lancet is of white metal including the blade. The leather case has a gold decoration around the edges. Lancet: L 41 mm, W 22 mm. Case: L 70 mm, W 36 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.8.

NOTE: For additional spring lancets, see "Cupping Sets" (NMHT 268719 [M-11878]) and "Related Artifacts" (NMHT 199536 [M-6689] and NMHT 285125 [M-12352]).

BLEEDING BOWLS

Bleeding bowl, after 1740. Pewter bowl with horizontally projecting handle. Handle is decorated with cut out tracery, a coat of arms, and the name of the London maker, John Foster. Bowl has graduated rings every 2 ounces from 2 to 16. Held by Division of Cultural History, Smithsonian Institution (Greenwood Collection). L 200 mm to tip of handle, D 132 mm, H 45 mm. Neg. 61166-C (BW). (Figure 4.)

Barber's basin, 18th century. Blue faience basin with green, red, and blue floral decoration. Used for shaving and probably for phlebotomy as well. Bowl is indented to fit against the neck. Purchased 1959. L 260 mm, W at indentation 173 mm, H 68 mm. Neg. 73-4220 (BW, CS). NMHT 225114 (M-9399).

Bleeding bowl. Circular bleeding bowl made of pewter and typical of the bowls used to collect and measure blood in the 18th century. Such bowls were no longer generally used in the 19th century. Bowl has a plain, flat, horizontally projecting handle and graduated circles marking every 4 ounces from 4 to 24. Purchased 1976. L 233 mm to tip of handle, D 166 mm, H 55 mm. NMHT 322691.01.

Bleeding bowl. Pewter bowl with a cut out tracery handle. Bowl has graduated markings every 2 ounces from 2 to 16. Purchased 1976. D 127 mm, H 64 mm. NMHT 322691.02.

EXTRA BLADES AND CASES

Spring lancet blades (2), 18th-19th century. Used by Dr. John Cooper, Easton, Pennsylvania, great-grandfather of the donor. Donated by the Rev. J. V. Cooper 1936. Blades: L 44 mm, W 14 mm. NMHT 139877 (M-4145).

Spring lancet case, 19th century. This case is unlike other lancet cases in the collection in that the top half is a cap which slips off. The bottom half opens lengthwise and has space for a lancet and two pockets for extra blades. Case, made of cardboard and covered with black leather, is lined in tan plush. Purchased 1963. Case: L 62 mm, W 32 mm, H 22 mm. NMHT 251481 (M-10463).

Spring lancet case, 1827. Case is handmade of wood, with fabric panels covered with glass on five sides. In the top panel, a spring lancet has been hand drawn in blue. The bottom panel contains several symbolic images and the motto, "Memento Mori." The end panel has the name of the owner, "W. M. Bonwill's/1827." The case opens by a hinge and has space carved out for two knob end lancets. Pasted to the lid is a leather pocket containing two lancet blades of different sizes. The Smithsonian Institution also owns a matching toilet case, given by the same donor. Donated by the University of Pennsylvania 1959. Case: L 87 mm, W 48 mm, H 18 mm. Neg. 73-5847, 73-5848, 73-5849, 73-5850 (BW, various views with toilet case)/73-7680 to 73-7693 (CS, various views with toilet case). NMHT 218383 (M-9261).