![](http://www.alamy.com/thumbs/6/B55B1203-B00A-46FD-AD19-DB5533C9EEAA/2ACR6JW.jpg)
Silver etui engraved with a lion design and three lancets. Lancets are double edged surgical blades with a pointed end. These instruments were used to
Silver etui engraved with a lion design and three lancets. Lancets are double edged surgical blades with a pointed end. These instruments were used to open patient's veins for 'bloodletting'. This was a common practice in medicine until the late nineteenth century and was believed to 'treat' a range of ailments by removing surplus bodily 'humours' (fluids within the body). These items date from around the year 1790.
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Photo credit: © Science Photo Library / Alamy / Afripics
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