Scarificator in a leather two piece box, which consists of (a) a square four-sided brass scarificator that has a flat round metal decorative holding piece at the left and right side, a metal cocking lever, and a heart-shaped blade adjustor at the top and a release lever at the top right; there are …
Scarificator in a leather two piece box, which consists of (a) a square four-sided brass scarificator that has a flat round metal decorative holding piece at the left and right side, a metal cocking lever, and a heart-shaped blade adjustor at the top and a release lever at the top right; there are also small metal screws on the front and back and two on the top; the bottom of the scarificator has 16 long rectangular slots where blades will come out when the top lever is cocked; the scarificator fits into (b) a square leather-covered cardboard box that has an open top and a V-shaped notch cut into one side; the notch accomodates the release lever; the opposite side wall is lower, as part of it has broken off; a box lid (c) fits over the bottom; the top is square at the base and rounded into a domed semi-circle at the top; there is a small hole in the top that accomodates the cocking lever; black thread can be seen along one side, where a tear was sewn shut
Number Of Parts
3
Part Names
a - scarificator - Size: Length 3.7 cm. x Width 4.5 cm. x Depth 5.5 cm.
b - box bottom - Size: Length 4.4 cm. x Width 4.6 cm. x Depth 3.7 cm.
c - box lid - Size: Length 4.6 cm. x Width 4.6 cm. x Depth 4.1 cm.
Provenance
Owned by Dr. James J. A. Fraser, 1955 Queen's University Meds graduate
Dates
1790
1830
circa 1790-1830
Date Remarks
Style of blades are pointed
Material
metal: grey; yellow
leather: brown
paper: grey
fabric: black
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-D6-5
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
(a) There are several deep scratches on the sides of the scarificator, but no corrosion is visible; the cocking and release levers both work, but the blade adjustor will not move; (b) the box base shows a great deal of wear; half of one side has been broken off and another side is also broken; the top (c) also shows a great deal of wear and the sides have split; one has been repaired with black thread
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Reference Comments
"Antique Medical Instruments," by C. Keith Wilbur, M.D., p. 119
Research Facts
Scarificators were used in bloodletting practices, often accompanying cupping procedures. The blades are designed to make equal and even cuts on the patient's body.