(a) Brass scarificator which consists of a squared eight-sided box with a lever and knob at the top, 12 slits for 12 steel blades at the bottom, and a release button at the front; the lever at the top pushes the blades out and the knob adjusts their length; the release button at the front retracts …
(a) Brass scarificator which consists of a squared eight-sided box with a lever and knob at the top, 12 slits for 12 steel blades at the bottom, and a release button at the front; the lever at the top pushes the blades out and the knob adjusts their length; the release button at the front retracts the blades; (b) cloth-covered cardboard box with a leather-hinged lid which fastens at the front with a hook; box made to store the scarificator.
Number Of Parts
2
Part Names
a - scarificator - Length 4.6 cm. x Width 4.2 cm. x Depth 6.2 cm.
b - box - Length 5.9 cm. x Width 5.0 cm. x Depth 7.3 cm.
Provenance
Owned by Dr. Jason A. Hannah, graduate for the Faculty of Medicine at Queen's University Class of 1928.
Dates
1850
1900
circa 1850-1900
Material
metal: yellow; silver
cardboard: grey
fabric: black
leather: brown
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-D6-5
Unit Of Measure
centimeters
Condition Remarks
Scarificator shows some grime; the lever and knobs all work; box shows loss of inside cloth; there is also a small tear at the back; #3: the case has severely deteriorated.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Reference Comments
"Antique Medical Instruments" by Keith Wilbur, M.D.
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.