Description
This twelve-bladed, brass scarificator was once a common tool in the medical practice of bloodletting, the withdrawal of a patient's blood to prevent or cure illness and disease.
The use of the scarificator was considered less painful than earlier bloodletting devices such as lances and fleams, as it punctured the skin quickly. The scarificator's spring-loaded blades are retracted using the lever and the button is pressed to release, creating multiple parallel incisions.