October is American Archives Month and to celebrate HSLIC Special Collections is getting into the Halloween spirit and sharing some of its spookier items.
Happy Halloween!
Mahogany-handled fleam, made by Miller Bros. USA. Fleams were used to cut into a vein during bloodletting. Bloodletting did not produce positive results, and often caused harm or even death, but it was still practiced into the late 19th century.
Bleeding bowl, early 1800s, France
Brass-spring loaded, hand-engraved fleam in original case
Scarificators were developed in the 18th century as a more "humane" and efficient bloodletting tool. By pressing a spring-loaded lever, multiple blades shot out and made parallel cuts into a patient's skin.
Amputation saw used during surgery.
Railroad spike from the Santa Fe Railroad. The spike was used by Dr. P.G. Cornish Sr. in orthopedic surgery during his time as chief surgeon of the Santa Fe Railroad (circa late nineteenth century).
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