triangle so as to simulate a leech
bite. Blades are cocked by pulling on the handle of the device, and
released by pushing a small button on the cylinder. Set also includes two
small oval glass cups with brass stopcocks and a brass pump, a glass tube
with cork lid for collecting blood, and a mass of silvery thread. The use
of the thread is uncertain. Case is made of wood covered with red leather
and lined with black plush. Unfortunately there are no manufacturer
markings or other clues to the provenance of this unusual set. Purchased
1976. "Leech:" L 61 mm, D 20 mm. Pump: L 102 mm. Case: L 155 mm, W 107 mm,
H 45 mm. Neg. 76-9120 (BW). NMHT 316478. (Figure 98.)

Leech cage, 19th century. Tin, nickel, lead composition. The surface is
worn and five holes are punctured in the hinge at one end. Purchased 1976.
L 120 mm, H 32 mm, W 31 mm. Neg. 77-13984 (BW, CS). NMHT 1977.0576.02.
(Figure 116.)

_Veterinary Bloodletting_

FLEAMS

NOTE: Widths are measured at the widest point.

Fleam, 18th-19th century. Fleam has a brass shield and three fold out
blades of different sizes. Donated by M. Lamar Jackson 1932. L 80 mm, W 27
mm. Neg. 73-4206 (BW, CS). NMHT 121573 (M-3462). (Figure 100.)

Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a brass shield, one blade, and a tenaculum
(hook). Shield is engraved "Proctor" (manufacturer). Donated by Joseph L.
Clough 1947. L 84 mm, W 27 mm. Neg 73-4209 (BW). NMHT 176124 (M-6480).

Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a brass shield, three blades, and a knife.
Donated by the University of Pennsylvania 1959. L 81 mm, W 25 mm. Neg.
61125-A (BW). NMHT 218383 (M-9255). (Figure 117.)

Fleam, 19th century. Fleam has a brass shield and three blades, each
marked with a crown denoting British manufacture and a "W." Said to have
been made in Sheffield, England. Purchased 1960. L 97 mm, W 33 mm. Neg.
59139-H (BW), case open, blades displayed; 59139-G (BW), case closed. NMHT
233570 (M-9665). (Figure 118.)

Fleam, 17th or 18th century. Hand-made curved bar with projecting blade,
described by seller as Swiss or Tyrolean. Case is wooden and hand-carved.
It is not clear whether this fleam was used for human or for animal
bloodletting. Purchased 1960. Fleam: L 129 mm. Case: L 146 mm, W 47 mm at
widest point. Neg. 59139-E (BW). NMHT 233570 (M-9666). (Figure 42.)

NOTE: There are two interesting early fleams in the Medical Historical
Collection of Zurich University. One has a plain wooden handle and one has
a turned meta