Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology Part 10

NMHT 302834.1 and 302834.2.

Cupping vessels (5), gla.s.s, 19th-20th centuries. Set of five dome-shaped cups ranging from 52 mm to 56 mm in height and 44 mm to 48 mm in diameter.

Owned by Dr. E. L. Orsinger of Chicago (1852-1925). Donated by Dr. William Orsinger 1973. Neg. 74-4087 (BW, CS). NMHT 308730.09.

Cupping vessels (3), gla.s.s, 18th-19th centuries. These three cups have b.u.t.ton like protuberances on top for ease in handling. Cups were often pictured in 18th century surgical texts with such protuberances. In the 19th century most cups lacked them. Purchased 1976. NMHT 314016.236-.239.

(Figure 109.)

Cupping vessel, gla.s.s, 19th century. Slightly bellied, hand-blown cup.

Donated by Ada and Grace Abrahamson 1975. H 47 mm, D 43 mm. NMHT 318916.02.

Cupping vessel and bloodletting knife, 17th century. Persian bra.s.s conical cupping cup with a small hole at the tip for mouth suction. Knife has a wood and bra.s.s handle and a folding blade. Seller gives date as 17th century. Purchased 1976. Knife L 110 mm (folded). Cup L 86 mm, D 46 mm.

Neg. 76-7749 (BW, CS). NMHT 320033.07. (Figure 110.)

Cupping vessel, bra.s.s, 18th century. German bra.s.s cupping vessel.

Purchased 1976. H 30 mm, D 35 mm. Neg. 76-9109 (BW), includes two pewter cups. NMHT 321697.22. (Figure 111.)

Cupping vessels, gla.s.s, 19th century. Five small, hand-blown, green gla.s.s cupping cups. All are approximately the same size. Purchased 1976. Average dimensions: H 44 mm, D 35 mm. NMHT 321697.23-.27.

Cupping vessels, gla.s.s, 19th and 20th centuries. a.s.sortment of 22 cupping cups, either dome-shaped or slightly bellied. Various sizes. Purchased 1976. NMHT 321697.28-.49.

CUPPING SETS

Cupping set, 19th-20th century. Set consists of three cupping gla.s.ses, two dome-shaped and one bellied (M-4766, M-4767, M-4768), a 16 blade square scarificator (M-4771), a candle in a metal holder used to ignite the alcohol (M-4769), and a bit of sponge in a wire holder (M-4770).

Presumably, the sponge would be dipped in alcohol, ignited, and inserted into the gla.s.ses. Used by Dr. Fred L. Orsinger of Chicago in the early 20th c. Donated by Fred G. Orsinger 1939. Scarificator: L 46 mm, W 37 mm, H 33 mm. Sponge and holder: L 78 mm. Neg. 61135-C (cupping gla.s.ses); 61130-B and 61130-C (scarificator), front and back views; 61164-B (candle in metal holder); 61129-D (sponge with wire holder); 76-9111 and 76-9113, internal views of scarificator. All negatives BW. NMHT 152130 (M-4766-71).

(Figures 13, 43, 62.)

Cupping set, 19th century. Contained in a mahogany case with red velvet lining are two gla.s.s cups without valves, a square model 16 blade scarificator with a leather case top, a braided leather tourniquet, a standard bra.s.s spring lancet in a case with an American eagle stamped in gold, and two lancets used on the gums with tortoisesh.e.l.l shields. One gum lancet is engraved "Kuemerle & Kolbe," a Philadelphia manufacturer. Case was originally intended for a set of six bra.s.s valved cupping gla.s.ses and a pump. Owned and used by Dr. Elam Dowden Talbot of Barlow County, Virginia (1810-1881). Donated by Elam D. Talbot through Edna G. Dorr 1966.

Case: L 204 mm, W 140 mm, H 110 mm. NMHT 268719 (M-11878).

Cupping set, late 19th century. Set of four cupping gla.s.ses with bra.s.s fixtures, a pump, and two octagonal scarificators. Three of the cups are identical in size, and the fourth is slightly larger. One scarificator has 13 blades arranged on three rods turning in the same direction (cf. NMHT 254866 [M-10706]). Scarificator is engraved "Schively/Philad."

(manufacturer). The other scarificator has 10 blades turning in opposite directions. Used by Dr. Robert Evans Bromwell, Port Deposit, Maryland, in the late 19th century. Donated by Dr. Bromwell's daughter, Roberta Bromwell Craig, 1970. Case: L 203 mm, W 135 mm, H 110 mm. NMHT 290051 (M-13113).

Cupping set, 19th century. Mahogany case lined in rose plush has six compartments holding 5 valved cups of slightly varying shapes. One cup and pump are missing. Used by Dr. Launcelot Jackes, a member of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland. Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Case L 184 mm, W 143 mm, M 94 mm.

NMHT 302606.005.

Cupping set, 19th century. This elegant set was manufactured by Charriere of Paris. Set includes a circular scarificator with fluted sides similar to NMHT 320033.05 but made of bra.s.s. Scarificator is engraved "Brevete S.G.D. Gouv." Also in the set are a bra.s.s pump, tubing, and three distinctive mushroom shaped gla.s.ses provided with stopc.o.c.ks. Case is made of wood and lined with fabric. All pieces except tubing and scarificator are engraved with the Charriere name. Set was said to have been purchased in Paris in 1850 by Dr. Asa Shinn Linthic.u.m. Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Case: L 240 mm, W 150 mm, H 94 mm.

First gla.s.s: H 110 mm, D 74 mm. Second gla.s.s: H 130 mm, D 80 mm. Third gla.s.s: H 94 mm, diameter 54 mm. Pump: L 160 mm, D 26 mm. Scarificator: H 32 mm, D 46 mm. Tube: L 450 mm. Neg. 75-090 (BW & CS), 75-4237-C (CS).

NMHT 302606.007. (Figure 70.)

Cupping set, 19th century. Mahogany case lined in purple plush has compartments for eight cups and s.p.a.ce for a pump. Seven cups with valves remain, one of them a narrow necked fluted cup for cupping the b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Found in the case, though not part of the set, are an envelope with a lancet blade and a packet of six lancet blades, each of slightly different shape. On the packet is handwritten "American/25 each." Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Case: L 249 mm, W 130 mm, H 100 mm. NMHT 302606.035.

Cupping set, mid-19th century. Charriere cupping set with four mushroom-shaped gla.s.s cups (the largest two with round edges and the smaller two with oval edges) with bra.s.s stopc.o.c.ks, a pump, and a scarificator. Two of the cups and the scarificator are engraved with the Charriere name. The scarificator is octagonal and has twelve small blades cutting in opposite directions. Internally it has two rolled springs as described in the Charriere patent of 1841. Bra.s.s wrench case is mahogany and lined with a reddish chamois above. Pasted to the chamois is a bit of leather with wording in gold which reads "Paris/Charriere/Frabricant/Des/ Hopitaux/Civils/et/Mil. Rue de l'ecole de Med. No. 7 (Bis)." Purchased 1976. Scarificator: L 42 mm, W 40 mm, H 34 mm. Pump: L 180.8 mm. Wrench: L 76.2 mm. Case: L 250 mm, W 133 mm, H 105 mm. Neg. 76-9117 (BW); 76-9110 (BW), scarificator showing springs. NMHT 1977.0789.44.

Cupping set, 19th century. Set may date from early to mid 19th century.

Wooden case, lined with brown velvet, contains two gla.s.s cups, two scarificators, a ball handled torch stuffed with a cotton wick, and a cut gla.s.s alcohol bottle. Large scarificator has eight blades, almost pointed in shape and cutting in opposite directions. Smaller scarificator has four blades on one rod. Both scarificators are engraved, in script, "H.

Johnson/31 King Street/Borough." On top of the case is a silver plate with the name of the owner, "Mr. Sam Richards." Purchased 1976. Torch: L 111 mm. Bottle: H 65 mm. Large scarificator: L 54 mm, W 48 mm, H 37 mm. Small scarificator: L 36 mm, W 35 mm, H 29 mm. Case: L 248 mm, W 109 mm, H 94 mm. Neg. 76-9119 (BW). NMHT 1977.0789.48. (Figure 68.)

Cupping set, 19th century. This unique set consists of a red leather case lined in purple velvet, four cups with bra.s.s fittings, a large octagonal scarificator, and a pump. The most interesting piece in the set is the pump, an oval cylinder enameled in yellow with a gold and black floral design on front and back. On top of the cylinder are both the bra.s.s pump and the attachment to the cups. The scarificator has twelve blades cutting in opposite directions and is engraved, in script, "J & W Wood/74 King Street/Manchester." The four cups vary widely in size, the largest having a diameter of 73 mm, the smallest a diameter of 43 mm. Purchased 1976.

Pump: H 170 mm, L 78 mm, W 56 mm. Case: L 300 mm, W 150 mm, H 113 mm. Neg.

76-9118 (BW). NMHT 1977.0789.47.

Cupping set, 19th century. Case is mahogany with two ivory keyholes and a bra.s.s handle. It is lined in red plush. Set includes nine gla.s.s cups of various sizes (including an oval cup), each with screw threads covered by a bra.s.s cap. Pump is bra.s.s, 142 mm long, and has a bit of leather wrapped around the outside of the screw threads. There is an extra compartment in the case that might have held a tenth cup, but now contains only the key.

In a compartment lined with silver paper and covered by a red plush top with ivory handle are two octagonal scarificators. The first is a common twelve blade scarificator in which the blades cut in opposite directions.

It is engraved with a crown and "Evans/London." The second is unusual in that it has eleven blades arranged on two rods. It is also engraved "Evans/London," and on top is engraved, in script, "W Tothill," and in block letters, "Staines No 2." The mechanism is frozen. Purchased 1976.

Case: L 285 mm, W 210 mm, H 106 mm. Neg. 76-7747 (BW, CS), pieces in case; 76-7748 (BW, CS), pieces out of case. NMHT 321697.21. (Figure 112.)

Cupping set, 19th century. Case is mahogany, lined in red velvet, with bra.s.s bindings on the corners and is incomplete. A bra.s.s plate on the cover is blank. The key is missing. Set includes two gla.s.s cups without fittings, two bra.s.s stopc.o.c.ks, one 12-blade scarificator, and a bra.s.s holder for a wick, which is missing. The scarificator bears the inscription on one side, "Salt & Son/Birmingham." Purchased 1976. Bra.s.s wick holder: L 101.6 mm. Cups: D 53.8 mm and 52.3 mm. Case: L 223 mm, W 127 mm, H 103 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.45.

Cupping set, 19th century. Case is mahogany with bra.s.s "straps" and a bra.s.s handle that rests flush with the lid on the case. The key is missing. Set contains two gla.s.s cups, one alcohol lamp, and one octagonal bladed scarificator. One cup is shaped like the early bronze cups.

Purchased 1976. Alcohol lamp: L 67 mm, D of base 45 mm, D of top 20 mm.

First Cup: L 90 mm, D at opening 50 mm. Second cup: L 63 mm, D of base 45 mm. Case: L 260 mm, W 105 mm, H 98 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.46.

Cupping set, 19th century. Case is red leather and closes with two bra.s.s hooks. It contains two gla.s.s cups with fittings, a bra.s.s syringe, a small gla.s.s bottle shaped like a test tube, and a bra.s.s three-point scarifier with a spring setting and a b.u.t.ton release. The set is unusual for its small size. Purchased 1976. Case: L 154 mm, W 108 mm, H 42 mm. Syringe: L (closed) 101 mm, D 25 mm. Cups: L 60 mm and 67 mm, D 28 mm and 23 mm.

Scarificator: L 52 mm, D 20 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.49.

CUPPING APPARATUS

Cupping apparatus with case, patent model, 1844. Cupping set patented by Dr. R. J. Dodd. Surgeon, U.S.N. (U.S. patent 3537). Bra.s.s syringe with ivory handle is stamped "Dr. Dodd's Improved Cupping Apparatus." Syringe can be fitted with either a large or small plate with blades. To operate an internal part, a straight or curved gla.s.s tube is attached to the syringe along with a flexible metal lancet that runs the length of the tube. Straight gla.s.s tube is broken in two parts. Case is mahogany and lined with red velvet. On hinge is stamped "Horne Patent." Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office 1926. Case: L 307 mm, W 178 mm, H 80 mm. Neg.

73-4237B (CS). NMHT 89797 (M-4288).

Cupping apparatus, patent model, 1856. Patented by Mr. Loyall Tillotson of Thompson, Ohio (U.S. patent 15626). Model of plunger apparatus is made of wood, though the actual instrument would have been made of metal. The body of the instrument was to be attached to a cup (not included in the model) with a spiral wire to which a battery would be attached. The novelty of the apparatus was that electricity would be employed in conjunction with dry cupping. Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office 1926. H 160 mm, D 60 mm. NMHT 89797 (M-4296).

Cupping apparatus, patent model, 1867. Patented by Mr. William D. Hooper of Liberty, Virginia (U.S. patent 68985). Model consists of a bra.s.s syringe attached to a wooden cup. In the working instrument the cup would be made of gla.s.s. Model does not contain the diaphragm and cutting blades.

The novelty was that blades were to be tubular with adjustable length and that they would remain in the skin while blood was being removed.

Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office 1926. Overall L 202 mm. Cup: L 47 mm, D 36 mm. Neg. 73-4214 (BW, CS). NMHT 89797 (M-4309).

Cupping apparatus with case, late 19th century. Invented by the Drs. W. S.

Black and F. Black and manufactured by Wm. B. Stewart, Trenton, New Jersey, this set includes a hard rubber pump, three gla.s.s cups, the smallest for cupping the b.r.e.a.s.t.s, a valve, and a head for the pump.

Missing are a nipple shield and rubber tubing. Case is made of wood and has a label attached to the inside top with an ill.u.s.tration of the set, the t.i.tle, "Drs. W. S. & F. Black's Combined Cupping Apparatus, Breast Pump, Stomach Pump, Aspirator, Atomizer, Etc., Etc.," the name of the manufacturer, and directions for use. Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Case: L 250 mm, W 120 mm, H 78 mm.

NMHT 302606.036.

Cupping apparatus with case, late 19th century. Another example of the previous all-purpose cupping set with the same pieces and three fragments of rubber tubing. Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. NMHT 302606.037.

BREAST PUMPS

Breast pump, patent model, 1879. Patented by William Kennish of Philadelphia (U.S. patent 219738), this breast pump consists of a gla.s.s receiver with a hanging gla.s.s globe to catch the milk, and a rubber bulb to provide suction. The innovation was the addition of an internal valve and a valve at the bottom of the globe in such a way that continued compression and expansion of the large rubber bulb would cause milk to flow out of the valve at the base of the globe. Transferred from the U.S.

Patent Office 1926. L 141 mm. NMHT (M-4343).

Breast pump. Gla.s.s breast cup with bra.s.s fittings and bra.s.s pump in a wooden case lined with green felt. Donated by the College of Physicians, Philadelphia, 1958. Cup: L 99 mm, W 72 mm at widest point. Pump: L 88 mm.

Case: L 132 mm, W 121 mm, H 82 mm. Neg. 76-7761 (BW, CS). NMHT 220170 (M-7435). (Figure 113.)

Breast pump. Gla.s.s breast pump with tube for self-suction of the b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Tip is broken. Purchased from the Medizinhistorisches Inst.i.tut, Universitat, Zurich, 1960. L 305 mm, H 80 mm. NMHT 232067 (M-9578).

Breast pump. Gla.s.s breast cup with protuberance for holding milk, attached to a rubber bulb. Top of bulb is stamped "Union India Rubber Co/Goodyear's Patent/New York/1844 & 48." Part of the original cardboard carton is extant. Donated by Mr. and Mrs. Elliston P. Morris 1964. L 205 mm, W of bulb 87 mm. Neg. 76-7762 (BW, CS). NMHT 252497 (M-10510). (Figure 84.)