Fine Antique Three Fan Bladed Medical Bloodletting Fleam with Brass Grip Engraved with Initials JK

Here on offer is a fine antique three fan bladed medical bloodletting Fleam with brass grip engraved with initials JK, circa 1880.

This medical instrument consists of three independent steel blade arms that swivel open and each one is fitted with a different size “fan shaped” blade, that are still sharp!

The blades and blade arms are in excellent condition, with just some age related greying to the finish.

The grip is made from sections of brass that have been soldered together to make a strong grip and cover for the blades, when closed.

There is no maker’s name or mark that I can see on this example, but it does have the initials JK (in gothic font) professionally engraved on one side of the grip.

This was an expensive instrument when it was made back in the late 19th century.

I actually also have four beautifully made fleam sticks that I have acquired over the last 50+ years, which are now listed on my web site. By adding one of those to this fleam, it would made an impressive and complete set.

Some information about Fleams or Phlebetomes (Bleeding Knives)

These multi-bladed medical bloodletting instruments are known as a fleams or phlebetomes, from the Greek words “Phlebos,” for blood vessel and “tome” meaning to cut.

They were used for bloodletting, a practice that dates back to antiquity but is rarely used today.

This kind of instrument was more often reserved for veterinary use, but the use of fleams on people was not unheard of.

This instrument would be used by placing it over the vein and then striking the fleam with a fleam stick, which was a short wooden club.

This would result in rapid penetration of the vein with minimal risk to the operator and minimal cutting of the patient’s tissue. After the incision was made and the desired amount of blood drained, a pin would be placed through the edges of the cut and then a figure eight of thread was sewn over the pin in order to keep the cut closed.

Bleeding a patient was almost never helpful and served only to make them weaker, yet it was commonly used from as far back as the ancient Egyptians and into the 19th century. One ancient system of thought that coincided with bloodletting was a theory of the four bodily humors: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. An imbalance of these “humors” let to the need for bloodletting.

Each of the three blade arms measure 3.5” (9cm) long and when fully open, the Fleam is 6.5” (16.5cm) long and weighs 75g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

Code: 52436