Greek vase (replica). Reproduction of a small Greek vase depicting a 5th century B.C. medical “clinic,” including a Greek physician bleeding a patient. Original is in the Louvre. Made by Dorothy Briggs of the Smithsonian Institution 1960. H 85 mm, W 75 mm. Neg. 73-4216 (BW, CS); 73-4216-A (CS), red background. NMHT 233055 (M-9618). (Figure [26].)
Bloodletting manikin, 15th century. Pen and ink drawing in black and red inks on a folded sheet of paper with the watermark “Ochsenkapf mit Krone” reportedly made in Southern Germany in 1480. The paper is backed at the fold by a piece of vellum. Drawing is of a man with astrological signs and instructions in German in balloons pointing at 25 points of his body, of which 4 are symmetrical. Such a drawing used in conjunction with a dial would be used to determine when and where to bleed. On the reverse are astronomical tables. According to analysis by the Conservation Laboratory at the Smithsonian, the paper might well date from the 15th century and the ink has been applied at various times. Purchased 1962. L 310 mm, W 225 mm. Neg. 76-13536 (BW). NMHT 243033 (M-10288).
Surgeon’s kit, late 18th century. Revolutionary War surgeon’s kit includes a leather case with brass handle, three pewter cupping cups, a spring lancet, syringe, two trocars, knife, probe, and scraper. There is space for two other missing instruments, one of which may have been a scarificator. Lancet has an unusual boot shape and is decorated with a floral design. It is made of brass and has a steel lever release. Purchased 1969. Neg. 73-4237-A (CS). NMHT 285125 (M-12352).
Baunscheidt’s Lebenswecker, mid 19th-early 20th century. Carl Baunscheidt of Bonn exhibited his Lebenswecker (“Life Awakener”) at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. It consists of a long hollow tube made of ebony and containing a coiled spring attached to a handle. A cap covers a plate with some thirty sharp needles. Pushing upon the handle injects the needles into the skin. The devise was used with Baunscheidt’s special oil, which was applied to the skin after the needles had irritated it. Donated by Grace Sutherland 1970. L 250 mm, W 30 mm. Neg. 76-7751 (BW). NMHT 287885 (M-12936). (Figure [79].)
Baunscheidt’s Lebenswecker, mid 19th-early 20th century. Another example of the previous instrument. Donated by Mrs. William F. Press 1970. L 245 mm, W 20 mm, H 25 mm. NMHT 290304 (M-13832).
Baunscheidt’s Lebenswecker, mid 19th-early 20th century. Another example of the previous instruments. Purchased 1976. NMHT 1977.0789.
Alcohol lamp, late 19th-early 20th century. Glass lamp with glass cap and cotton wick, used in exhausting air from cups. Used by Dr. F. L. Orsinger of Chicago (1852-1925). Donated by Dr. William H. Orsinger 1973. H 100 mm, D 83 mm. Neg. 74-4086 (BW, CW). NMHT 308730.08.
Junod’s boot, 19th-early 20th century. Copper boot first introduced by Victor-Theodore Junod in the 1830s. The boot fits tightly about the foot and air is exhausted from it by means of a pump. John S. Billings described the boot as “An apparatus for enclosing a limb, and from which air can be exhausted so as to produce the effect of a large cupping glass.” (The National Medical Dictionary. Philadelphia, 1890 p. 732.) On loan from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. L 280 mm, H 430 mm. Neg. 73-7885 (BW). (Figure [81].)
Barber pole, ca. 1890-1900. This small, red, white, and blue striped pole, with a newel post and no globe on the top, was used in Binghamton, New York. The colors are faded into an orange and tan color. Purchased 1974. Pole L 2600 mm, W at widest point 900 mm. NMHT 312616.
Barber pole, ca. 1920. A red, white, and blue striped pole full size. It has a silver wooden top. It was used in New Jersey. Pole: L 63 mm, W at widest point 20 mm. Top: L 33 mm. Gift of H. E. Green. NMHT 322,655.01.