Vet's Folding Fleam (126)
Vet's fleam showing the variety of instruments
Name/Title
Vet's Folding Fleam (126)Entry/Object ID
2025.1.1065Description
Brass and metal instrument with six retractible blades each being different, for differing purposes. The 'blood stick' was used in conjunction with the fleam to tap the blade into the vein at the appropriate place. (See entry 2025.1.1064)Context
Fleams were used from the 17th century until the late 1800's. For hundreds of years it was believed that bleeding out some of the "bad" blood would help both animals and people recover from illness or injury.. Six blade fleams are rare, they generally have three/four blades and it is possible that this one maybe French.Cataloged By
Felix LamCategory
Animal Husbandry