Scarificator, which consists of an 8-sided (square with flattened corners) brass instrument that has flat sides, top and bottom; the top of the scarificator has a round knob in the centre and a metal lever at the left side; the bottom of the scarificator has 8 slits cut into it and the front has a …
Scarificator, which consists of an 8-sided (square with flattened corners) brass instrument that has flat sides, top and bottom; the top of the scarificator has a round knob in the centre and a metal lever at the left side; the bottom of the scarificator has 8 slits cut into it and the front has a round knob; eight sharp, rounded metal blades come out of the slits in the bottom when the lever is cocked; the top knob will raise or lower the blades when turned; the front knob will retract the blades when pushed in
Number Of Parts
1
Provenance
Collected by Dr. A. A. Travill for the Queen's University Faculty of Medicine Collection.
Dates
1790
1900
circa 1790-1900
Date Remarks
Scarificators used from 1790-1900
Material
metal: silver; yellow
Inscriptions
The front of the scarificator has a manufacturer's mark of an oval with three small straight lines coming from the lower right section, stamped into the metal
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-D6-5
Dimension Notes
Length 4.4 cm x Width 5.6 cm x Depth 6.5 cm
Condition Remarks
The metal shows minor wear and some tarnish; no corrosion is visible; moving parts move freely
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Book
Document
Reference Comments
Previous number #27; Faculty of Medicine Collection 1984 Inventory; "Antique Medical Instruments " by C. Keith Wilbur, M.D., 1987, p. 119 (see attached photocopy); "Antique Medical Instruments," by Elisabeth Bennion, 1979, p. 46 (illustration #44)
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.
Exhibit History
Hall of Honour, KGH - "Beyond Ether: 150 Years of Anaesthesia" - Sept. 27, 1997- June 2011