Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and TechnologyDavis, Audrey B.
History
Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology
Davis, Audrey B.
National Museum of History and Technology; Phlebotomy -- History; Phlebotomy -- Instruments -- Catalogs
Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a brass shield, three blades, and a knife.
Donated by the University of Pennsylvania 1959. L 81 mm, W 25 mm. Neg.
61125-A (BW). NMHT 218383 (M-9255). (Figure 117.)
Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a brass shield and three blades, each
marked with a crown denoting British manufacture and a "W." Said to have
been made in Sheffield, England. Purchased 1960. L 97 mm, W 33 mm. Neg.
59139-H (BW), case open, blades displayed; 59139-G (BW), case closed. NMHT
233570 (M-9665). (Figure 118.)
Fleam, 17th or 18th century. Hand-made curved bar with projecting blade,
described by seller as Swiss or Tyrolean. Case is wooden and hand-carved.
It is not clear whether this fleam was used for human or for animal
bloodletting. Purchased 1960. Fleam: L 129 mm. Case: L 146 mm, W 47 mm at
widest point. Neg. 59139-E (BW). NMHT 233570 (M-9666). (Figure 42.)
NOTE: There are two interesting early fleams in the Medical Historical
Collection of Zurich University. One has a plain wooden handle and one has
a turned metal handle with a metal extension.
Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a horn shield and three blades. The first
blade is stamped "Borwick," an English manufacturer. Purchased 1964. L 82
mm, W 28 mm. NMHT 254866 (M-10696).
Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a brass shield and two blades. First blade
is stamped "Harmer & Co's/Cast Steel Fleams/Sheffield." Donated by H. J.
Hopp 1970. L 82 mm, W 27 mm. NMHT 291361 (M-13828).
Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has brass shield and three blades. First blade
is stamped "W. Harmar & Co. Cast Steel fleams Sheffield." Purchased 1976.
L 80 mm, W 27 mm. NMHT 321697.24.
Fleam, 18th century. Five-bladed fleam said to have been made in Denmark.
Instrument appears to be hand-made. Brass shield has a hinged piece
covering the blades that is held closed by a brass latch. Purchased 1976.
L 89 mm, W 30 mm, H 17 mm. NMHT 321697.16.
Fleam with case, 19th century. Fleam has a brass shield and three blades,
engraved with a "W" over the name "Pepys." Fitted leather case. Purchased
1976. Fleam: L 102 mm, W 40 mm. NMHT 321697.03.
Fleam with case, 19th century. Fleam has a brass shield, two blades, and a
knife. Fitted leather case. Purchased 1976. L 94 mm, W 26 mm. NMHT
321697.04.
Fleam with case, 19th century. Fleam has a horn shield, two blades, and is
engraved "Green & Pickslay." Fitted black leather case. Purchased 1976. L
100 mm, W 32 mm. Neg. 76-7758 (BW, CS). NMHT 321697.05. (Figure 101.)
Fleam with case, 19th century. Fleam has a brass shield and four blades.
Fitted leather case. Owner's name, "C. Famell Isleworth[?]," is written in
ink on the case. Purchased 1976. L 79 mm, W 27 mm. NMHT 321697.06.
Fleam, 19th century. Brass shield, four blades, and one hook. Purchased
1976. L 122 mm, W 30 mm, W with pocket for hook 15 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.17.
Fleam, 19th century. Brass shield with five blades. An arrow is stamped on
one side of the shield. Purchased 1976. L 88 mm, W 27 mm. NMHT
1977.0789.18.
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