Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology

by Audrey B. Davis; Toby A. Appel

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.