Posted 8 years ago
CoachMatt
(1 item)
This item was given to me by my father, he said it was given to him by his dad.
He doesn't know what it is. ????
Does anyone know what this item is or was used for?
Thanks!
Mattsigno@gmail.com
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If it's what I'm thinking, it's a device popular until around 1860 in the U.S. and was designed to cut you so you'd bleed. At the time, they used bleeding as a form of treatment for illness and maintaining good health. I just cannot recall the name of these. I've always liked them. Fascinating things.
If the 2 blades are different thicknesses, they are probably max. & min. gap gauges.
All bloodletting tools I've seen have had more than 2 blades & depth can be set. Pix taken with something brighter than a torch will probably show dull "blades".
FLEAM.
scott
The item is a veterinary fleam, or "bleeder." They are made with between one and (usually) three graduated blades; some even have a "thumb lancet" or removable "plunge" type blade incorporated in the handle. Bleeding humans fell out of favor in the US after the Civil War but it remained common for certain conditions in animals well into the 2oth century. Bleeders for humans were considerably smaller and consisted of a spring-loaded blade with a trigger. Scarificators were bleeders with ten blades in two parallel rows operated by a powerful spring. They cut about 3/16" to 1/4" deep. Some multi-bladed "horseman's" pocket knives had a fleam built into the knife. It's a shame this site doesn't provide for including photographs as part of a reply but I'll post a picture of several similar devices shortly.
Thanks everyone! My dad will be happy to finally know what this thing is!