Name/Title
Spring Lancet in CaseEntry/Object ID
2020.09.24.12Description
Spring loaded lancets became popular at the beginning of the 18th century as a bloodletting instrument in the ancient practice of phlebotomy prohibited at the end of the 19th century. This was one of several other devices such as the fleam and scarficator used to bleed patients as a curative method to balance the four humor (blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile).The procedure was started prior to the fifth century BC and was performed later by surgeons and barbers. It as not unusual to drain from one to four pints of blood with multiple incisions at one time: The procedure was normally stopped when the patient felt faint.