acteristics of nineteenth-century technology was the
attempt to replace natural materials and processes by imitations and
mechanisms. Considering the properties of the natural leech, it is no
wonder that very early in the nineteenth century inventors began to seek a
mechanical substitute. The disadvantages of the leech were many. Wrote
one inventor of an artificial leech:

In the first place the appearance of the animal is repulsive and
disgusting, and delicate and sensitive persons find it difficult to
overcome their repugnance to contact with the cold and slimy reptile.
This is especially the case when it is a question of their
application about or within the mouth. Then again, their disposition
to crawl into cavities or passages results sometimes in very annoying
accidents. Another source of annoyance is that they are often
unwilling to bite--the patience of all concerned being exhausted in
fruitless efforts to induce them to take hold.

The expense, too, of a considerable number is by no means
trifling.[185]

[Illustration: FIGURE 20.--Staffordshire leech jars, 19th century. (NMHT
263554 [M-11504]; SI photo 73-4231.)]

In addition, leeches were often difficult to obtain, and the rural
physician could not easily carry them about. Leech bites could have
unfortunate consequences, for many times the bleeding could not be
stopped. For these and other reasons, several inventors in Europe and
America sought to create a mechanical or artificial leech.[186] Such
artificial leeches are often difficult to distinguish from cupping
devices, because both sorts of instruments employed some form of
scarification and suction. Artificial leeches however, were usually
adaptable to small areas of the anatomy, and the puncture wound generally
attempted to imitate a leech bite.

Perhaps the earliest instrument offered as a substitute for leeches was
Sarlandiere's "bdellometer," from the Greek _bdello_, "leech."
Sarlandiere, a French manufacturer, introduced his instrument in 1819 and,
incidentally, had the prototype sent to New Orleans. The bdellometer
consisted of a glass bell with two protruding tubes, one perpendicular for
performing scarification, and the other oblique, for attaching the
aspirating pump. A plug could be removed to allow air to enter the bell
after the operation was completed, and a faucet allowed for drainage of
blood without having to remove the apparat