Flint lancets (4). Pieces of flint used to let blood by native doctors in
Alaska in the 1880s. Donated by William J. Fisher late 19th century. L 22
mm, 35 mm, 43 mm, 50 mm. Anthropology vol. 30, catalog no. 127758. Neg.
73-4208 (BW, CS). (Figure 30.)
Thumb lancet, 19th century. Typical thumb lancet with steel blade and
tortoise shell shield, engraved with a crown and "Evans/Old Change/London"
(manufacturer). Purchased 1898. Shield: L 56 mm. Blade: L 50 mm.
Anthropology vol. 30, catalog no. 143079.
Flint lancet. "Indian scarificator" collected by the Section of Ethnology
of the Smithsonian 1902. L 44 mm. Anthropology vol. 30, catalog no.
143166.
Thumb lancets (4) with case, 19th century. Lancets are engraved "S. Maw"
(manufacturer). The case is made of cardboard covered with brown leather
and has four compartments. Used by the donor's father while a missionary
in Samoa in the 1830s. Donated in 1936 by the Rev. Robert G. Harbutt.
Lancets: L 55 mm. Case: L 60 mm, W 28 mm, H 10 mm. Neg. 73-4230 (BW) four
lancets with case; negs. 73-4226, 73-4227, 73-4228, 73-4229 (BW & CS),
individual lancets. NMHT 139980 (M-4151). (Figure 38.)
Thumb lancets (2), 19th century. Lancets are typical 19th century thumb
lancets. Shell shields are broken. Second lancet is engraved with a crown
denoting British manufacture. Owned by S. K. Jennings of Baltimore
(1771-1854). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland
1976. First lancet: L 54 mm; L of blade 46 mm. Second lancet: L 58 mm; L
of blade 42 mm. NMHT 302606.062.
Thumb lancets (2), 19th century. Shell shields. One shell is marked "A. L.
Hernstein." Purchased 1976. First lancet: L 60 mm. Second lancet: L 70 mm.
NMHT 1977.0789.
Bloodletting knife, 19th century. Handle is cylindrical and made of carved
wood, which has been turned, a brass ring, and an ivory tip with a hole
bored through it. Blade is double beveled and engraved "Rodgers/Cutlers to
Her Majesty," which indicates that the piece is Victorian. It could have
been used for many purposes, including bloodletting. Purchased 1976. L 129
mm; L of blade 30 mm. Neg. 76-76108 (BW). NMHT 321697.39.
Thumb lancets in cases (8), 19th century. Seven of the cases have silver
trimming and are closed by a hinged cap. These are similar in appearance
to cigarette lighters. The first case, made of tortoise shell, contains
four thumb lancets (with tortoise shell sheaths). Two blades are marked
"Savigny & Co.," two are marked with a cross on top of crown symbol. The
second case is made of mother-of-pearl carved with an intricate floral
design. It has space for four lancets but contains only one lancet marked
"Thompson" on the inner side of the shell cover, and a silver pincers. The
scroll initials "J H" appear on the side of the case. The third case is
silver, decorated with a floral relief, and contains two lancets. The
fourth case is made of shagreen and contains six lancets, three engraved
"Savigny" and one "Morgan." The fifth case is made of shagreen. One blade
is inscribed "STODART." Blades are rusted. The sixth case is made of
shagreen. It contains one shell-covered lancet of a possible six. The
blade is marked Paris. "J. P. Honard" is engraved on the silver top of the
case. The seventh case is made of shagreen. It contains two lancets, one
with a pearl shield and one with a shell shield. On the blade of the shell
encased lancet is inscribed "B. Radford, 9 Patrick St. Conn." The last
case is made of leather, which is worn. It contains one shell-encased
lancet. The blade is marked "Gouldig & Ford, N.Y." Purchased 1976. Case
one: L 70 mm, W 36 mm. Case two: L 69 mm, W 33 mm. Case three: L 65 mm, W
30 mm. Case four: L 74 mm, W 50 mm. Case five: L 71 mm, W 33 mm. Case six:
L 75 mm, W 43 mm. Case seven: L 68 mm, W 32 mm. Case eight: L 75 mm, W 17
mm. Neg. 76-9116 (BW). NMHT 1977-0789. (Figure 5.)