NOTE: Height is measured to the top of the casing. The height may vary by
a few millimeters because setting the depth of cut of the blades is
accomplished by raising or lowering the bottom of the scarificator.
Scarificator, 12 blades, 19th century. Octagonal brass scarificator with
blades arranged on two rods which cut in opposite directions. This is a
standard English-American 19th c. scarificator. As is true of all
scarificators, the blades and cocking lever are made of ferrous metal
(iron or steel). Two small stars on one side indicate how the top and
bottom of the scarificator fit together. Purchased 1898. L 46 mm, W 42 mm,
H 30 mm. Anthropology vol. 30, catalog no. 143080.
Scarificator with case, 12 blades, 19th century. Standard scarificator
with blades cutting in opposite directions. Case is wood covered with red
leather, lined in purple plush and closed by a latch. On top of the case
is an American eagle. Donated by Dr. D. H. Welling 1925. Scarificator: L
52 mm, W 46 mm, H 36 mm. Case: L 61 mm, W 56 mm, H 77 mm. NMHT 86124
(M-2087). NOTE: American eagles of this type were imprinted on many
objects at the time of the Centennial (1876).
Scarificator, 12 blades, patent model, 1846. Patented by George Tiemann of
New York (U.S. patent 4705). Engraved "Geo. Tieman[_sic_]/No. 63 Chatham
Street/New York/March 1846." The novel feature of the scarificator was the
addition of an ebony handle in which a coiled spring was contained. See
NMHT 254866 (M-10700), which is the same instrument as marketed by George
Tiemann & Co. Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office 1926. Overall L 176
mm. Base: L 42 mm, W 42 mm, H 18 mm. Neg. 76-9115 (BW). NMHT 89797
(M-4289). (Figure 76.)
Scarificator, 13 blades, patent model, 1847. Patented by Frederick M.
Leypoldt of Philadelphia (U.S. Patent 5111). Scarificator is brass,
octagonal with three rods containing 4, 5, and 4 blades respectively.
Blades turn in same direction. The innovation consisted of a new
arrangement of the cocking lever and spring. Engraved "F.
Leypoldt/Philada." Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office 1926. L 44 mm,
W 44 mm, H 40 mm. Neg. 73-4213 (BW & CS). NMHT 89797 (M-4290). (Figure
77.)
Scarificator, 10 blades, patent model, 1851. Patented by Frederick
Leypoldt of Philadelphia (U.S. patent 8095). This is a flattened model of
scarificator made of a copper-zinc-nickel alloy known as "nickel-silver,"
or German silver. The innovation in this patent model was a flat lever
extending from the side instead of the top, which fits into slots in two
racks which move back and forth and turn the pinions of the blade rods.
Blades cut in opposite directions. Transferred from the U.S. Patent Office
1926. L 42 mm, W 40 mm, H 16 mm. Neg. 76-9112 (BW). NMHT 89797 (M-4293).
(Figure 78.)
Scarificator, 12 blades, 19th century. Octagonal scarificator in which
blades cut in the same direction. Donated by Dr. George B. Roth 1928. L 44
mm, W 40 mm, H 38 mm. Neg. 76-7744 (BW, CS). NMHT 99749 (M-2336). (Figure
106.)
Scarificator, 12 blades, late 19th century. Octagonal scarificator; blades
cut in opposite directions. Used by the donor's father. Donated by Aida
Doyle 1932. L 48 mm, W 42 mm, H 34 mm. NMHT 118000 (M-3182).
Scarificator, 10 blades, early 19th century. Octagonal scarificator with
blades cutting in the same direction. Donated by H. S. West 1934. L 46 mm,
W 44 mm, H 34 mm. NMHT 131386 (M-3635).
Scarificator, 16 blades, early 19th century. This scarificator is typical
of Germanic manufacture during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It
is square, hand engraved, and has pointed blades. Blades are arranged on
three rods that turn in the same direction. Engraved "J. T./Wien." Vienna
was the center of early scarificator manufacture. Scarificator said by
donor to date from 1806. Donated by the University of Pennsylvania 1959. L
35 mm, W 34 mm, H 39 mm. Neg. 73-4212 (BW, CS). NMHT 218383 (M-9257).
(Figure 60.)
Scarificator, 16 blades, 19th century. Square scarificator, made somewhat
later than the previous one because the blades are no longer pointed.
Donated by the University of Pennsylvania 1959. L 36 mm, W 36 mm, H 32 mm.
NMHT 218383 (M-9258).
Scarificator, 16 blades, late 18th-early 19th century. Square
scarificator. Donated by the University of Pennsylvania 1959. L 40 mm, W
30 mm, H 32 mm. Neg. 61130-B (BW). NMHT 218383 (M-9259).
Scarificator with case, 4 blades, 19th century. Small octagonal
scarificator used for cutting the temples. Bottom of scarificator is
engraved with an American eagle. Case is covered with navy blue leather,
lined with purple plush, and closed by a latch. Purchased 1960.
Scarificator: L 28 mm, W 26 mm, H 26 mm. Case: L 42 mm, W 40 mm, H 60 mm.
Neg. 76-7745 (BW, CS). NMHT 233056 (M-9639). (Figure 107.)
Scarificator, 12 blades, 19th century. This octagonal scarificator is
significant in that it bears a French patent. Turning the large
wing-shaped handle on the top of the instrument cocks the blades, and
turning a small key on the side regulates the depth of cut of the blades.
Blades cut in opposite directions. Scarificator engraved "Brevete, S.G.D.
Gouv." Purchased 1964. L 42 mm, W 38 mm, H 32 mm. NMHT 254866 (M-10695).
Scarificator with case, 12 blades, 19th century. This is the market
version of Tiemann's patent scarificator (NMHT 89797 [M-4289]), with a
bone handle. Engraved "Geo. Tiemann/Patent/August 20/1846." This
scarificator was advertised as late as 1889. Purchased 1964. Scarificator:
L 172 mm, W 45 mm, H 45 mm. Neg. 73-4237-D (CS). NMHT 254866 (M-10700).
Scarificator, 13 blades, 19th century. Octagonal scarificator with unusual
number of blades arranged on three rods and cutting in the same direction.
Purchased 1964. L 51 mm, W 46 mm, H 34 mm. NMHT 254866 (M-10706).
Scarificator with case, 10 blades, 19th century. Used by Mary Fueurstien
Kuhn, who practiced as a midwife in Ohio and also cupped and bled people
during the period 1850-1890. Scarificator was brought to the United States
from Germany by Mrs. Kuhn's father, who was a doctor. Blades cut in
opposite directions. Case is covered in brown leather and lined in rose
plush. Donated by Mrs. Arthur Peterman 1964. Scarificator: L 45 mm, W 42
mm, H 32 mm. Case: L 58 mm, W 55 mm, H 71 mm. NMHT 255254 (M10892).
Scarificator, 16 blades, late 18th-early 19th century. Square
scarificator. Top cap has a scalloped edge. Blades appear to be pointed.
Mechanism is frozen. Donated by Harry L. Schrader 1972. L 34 mm, W 34 mm,
H 34 mm. NMHT 302607 (H-14681).
Scarificator, 16 blades, late 18th-early 19th century. Square
scarificator. Mechanism is frozen. Donated by John and James Draper 1973.
L 38 mm, W 35 mm, H 32 mm. NMHT 304826.066.
Scarificator with case, 12 blades, late 19th-early 20th century. Octagonal
scarificator with blades cutting in opposite directions. Two stars are
engraved on the top and the bottom of one side. Case is cardboard covered
with leather. Owned by Dr. F. L. Orsinger of Chicago (1852-1925). Donated
by Dr. William Orsinger 1973. Scarificator L 45 mm, W 40 mm, H 35 mm. Case
L 54 mm, W 48 mm, H 80 mm. Neg 74-4089 (BW, CS). NMHT 308730.11.
Scarificator with case, 12 blades, 19th century. Octagonal scarificator
with blades cutting in the same direction. There are two star markings on
the top and the bottom of one side. Case is made of cardboard covered with
black leather. Donated by Ada and Grace Abrahamson 1975. Scarificator: L
43 mm, W 40 mm, H 34 mm. Case: L 56 mm, W 47 mm, H 73 mm. NMHT 318916.01.
Scarificator, 13 blades, 1973. Unusual hand-made brass and iron
scarificator, engraved with decoration and the name "Domenico Pica" and
date "1793." Blades are set on three rods of four, five, and four blades
(see NMHT 254866 [M-10706]). The scarificator is octagonal but much taller
than the standard octagonal model. Unlike all other scarificators in the
collection, the bottom opens by a hinge, and a key on top raises and
lowers the interior mechanism so as to regulate the depth of cut. Blades
are cocked by a lever on top and released by a button on the side.
Purchased 1975. L 50 mm, W 42 mm, H 60 mm. Neg. 76-7742 and 76-7743 (BW,
CS). NMHT 320033.01. (Figure 66.)
NOTE: The earliest marked scarificator known to the authors is one in the
Wellcome Medical Collection (Wellcome number R 2.852/1930 C.H.M.),
inscribed 1747. The case and blade are made entirely of iron or steel. L
144 mm, W 45 mm. Another one with a brass case (Wellcome number 290 or 6
7/36, in the Hamonic Collection) is inscribed Johann Darmreuther in
Vendelstein 1769. A third one with a brass case and thirteen blades
(Wellcome number 13555) is marked "Jo. Bat. Boeller _Fece anno_ 1762."
Scarificator, 16 blades, late 18th-early 19th century. Square scarificator
with 16 pointed blades engraved, in script, "Joseph Plunger in Bruenn."
Case is covered with brown leather. Purchased 1975. L 32 mm, W 32 mm, H 30
mm. NMHT 320033.02.
Scarificator, 12 blades, 19th century. Standard octagonal scarificator
with blades cutting in opposite directions. Stamped on the bottom with an
American eagle, similar to that of NMHT 233056 (M-9639). This may mean the
scarificators were made around the time of the Centennial. Purchased 1975.
L 48 mm, W 45 mm, H 28 mm. NMHT 320033.03.
Scarificator, 12 blades, 19th century. Standard octagonal scarificator
with blades cutting in opposite directions. Engraved "H & H
Hilliard/Edinburgh." Purchased 1975. L 54 mm, W 47 mm, H 35 mm. NMHT
320033.04.
Scarificator, 16 blades, mid-late 19th century. Circular scarificator with
fluted sides of the type manufactured by Maison Charriere in Paris. Seller
describes instrument as French, mid-19th century. Analysis by the
Conservation Laboratory shows that the instrument was made of an alloy of
copper, zinc, nickel, and tin--probably the alloy that the French called
"maillechort." Winged lever on top triggers the sixteen small blades
arranged on two rods and cutting in opposite directions. A round knob on
the side is pushed downward to release the blades. Presumably by turning
the bottom, one can regulate the depth of cut. However, the bottom is
frozen. Purchased 1975. H 31 mm, D 45 mm. Neg. 76-7746. NMHT 320033.05.
(Figure 74.)
Scarificator, 12 blades, 19th century. Standard octagonal scarificator
with blades cutting in opposite directions. Used by Dr. G.W.M. Honberger
(b. 1819). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland
1976. L 46 mm, W 44 mm, H 32 mm. NMHT 302606.006.
Scarificator with case, 12 blades, 19th-20th century. Standard octagonal
scarificator. Mechanism is frozen. Case covered with brown leather and
lined with brown plush. Used by Dr. Jesse O. Purvis (b. 1880). Donated by
the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. Scarificator: L 48
mm, W 46 mm, H 32 mm. Case: L 61 mm, W 54 mm, H 79 mm. NMHT 302606.059.
Scarificator, 10 blades, late 19th century. Standard scarificator, blades
cutting in opposite directions, owned by Dr. Charles Carroll Shippen of
Baltimore (b. 1856). Donated by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of
Maryland 1976. L 48 mm, W 44 mm, H 34 mm. NMHT 302606.060.
Scarificator, 12 blades, 19th century. Donated by the Medical and
Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland 1976. L 48 mm, W 44 mm, H 36 mm. NMHT
302606.217.
Scarificator, 10 blades, 19th century. Octagonal scarificator of white
metal with an iron lever. Purchased 1976. L 41 mm, W 39 mm, H 31 mm. NMHT
1977.0789.40.
Scarificator, 16 blades, 19th century. Purchased 1976. L 41 mm, W 35 mm, H
32 mm. NMHT 1977.0789.41.
NOTE: Additional scarificators are found under "Cupping Sets" and in the
"Barber-surgeon's kit" listed under "Related Artifacts."