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Scarificators had two uses. One was bloodletting and the other was to introduce substances into the body. This scarificator is typical of designs of the period and has fourteen blades hidden beneath its lower surface. When placed against the skin, and released by the trigger, these metal blades emerged and slashed rapidly into the patient. Skill was needed to make sure that the blades did not go too deep into the body. 

Once cut, blood could be removed, often through the use of cupping glasses. The automatic scarificator was introduced in the late 1600s and, unlike most, this example is engraved with a floral pattern and a date.

maker: Boeller, Giovanni Battista

Place made: Italy

Brass scarificator, Italy, 1669

A number of different devices were invented to administer smallpox vaccinations. Invented by Mallam in 1874, this device is curved to fit a child’s arm. Four double blades are triggered from the base using the lever on top. All of the blades would have been prepared by being dipped in lymph material from the pustule of a person already vaccinated. Pustules are skin blisters filled with pus that appear approximately five to eight days after vaccination. Vaccination did not give life-long immunity.

maker: Arnold and Sons

Place made: London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom

Mallam-type scarificator, London, England, 1874-1900

The scarificator.

Scarificator, circa 1769.

Scarificator, made by Fuller, London.

Scarificator, made by Simpson, London.

Scarificator, made by Domenico Moretti, 1813.

Scarificator, made by Charriere of Paris.

Nigeria: two examples of scarification in Munshi women, Katsina Ala. Photograph.

scarification

Africa: a woman with scarification on her chest and arms, and with plugs in her ear-lobes and lower lip. Photograph by Kurt Lubinski, 19--.

Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century. Three quarter view. White background.

An English scarificator with six lancets used for blood-letting made by Fuller of London

Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century. Close-up of blades. Three quarter view. White background.

Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century, with three sets of blades. Three quarter view. White background.

A box of blades for scarificators.

Case of scarificators and a tourniquet formerly belonging to L. Gillespie.

L. Gillespie's case of scarificators and a tourniquet

A young man with elaborate scarification on his face. Photograph.

1 photograph : photoprint ; sheet 14.5 x 9.7 cm

<p>Left, fine scarification on the abdomen of a woman; right, very thick scarification resulting from infection</p>

1 photograph : photoprint ; sheet 11.2 x 15.6 cm

Vaccination par le B.C.G. par scarifications cutanées / L. Nègre et J. Bretey.

1 photograph : photoprint ; sheet 14.5 x 10.9 cm

Buka, Solomon Islands: a man with elaborate scarification on his face. Photograph.

1 unnumbered leaf, v, 245 pages, 1 unnumbered leaf ; (8vo)

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Brass scarificator, Italy, 1669

Mallam-type scarificator, London, England, 1874-1900

The scarificator.

Scarificator, circa 1769.

Scarificator, made by Fuller, London.

Scarificator, made by Simpson, London.

Scarificator, made by Domenico Moretti, 1813.

Scarificator, made by Charriere of Paris.

scarification

scarification

scarification

Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century. Three quarter view. White background.

An English scarificator with six lancets used for blood-letting made by Fuller of London

An English scarificator with six lancets used for blood-letting made by Fuller of London

An English scarificator with six lancets used for blood-letting made by Fuller of London

Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century. Close-up of blades. Three quarter view. White background.

Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century, with three sets of blades. Three quarter view. White background.

A box of blades for scarificators.

L. Gillespie's case of scarificators and a tourniquet

A young man with elaborate scarification on his face. Photograph.

A young man with elaborate scarification on his face. Photograph.

Nigeria: two examples of scarification in Munshi women, Katsina Ala. Photograph.

Vaccination par le B.C.G. par scarifications cutanées / L. Nègre et J. Bretey.

Buka, Solomon Islands: a man with elaborate scarification on his face. Photograph.

Des avantages des scarifications non-sanglantes dans quelques espèces d'hydropisie / [Pierre Jean Roucher].

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Brass scarificator, Italy, 1669

Mallam-type scarificator, London, England, 1874-1900

The scarificator.

Scarificator, circa 1769.

Scarificator, made by Fuller, London.

Scarificator, made by Simpson, London.

Scarificator, made by Domenico Moretti, 1813.

Scarificator, made by Charriere of Paris.

scarification

scarification

scarification

Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century. Three quarter view. White background.

An English scarificator with six lancets used for blood-letting made by Fuller of London

An English scarificator with six lancets used for blood-letting made by Fuller of London

An English scarificator with six lancets used for blood-letting made by Fuller of London

Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century. Close-up of blades. Three quarter view. White background.

Brass scarificator, with 12 lancets, in case, 19th century, with three sets of blades. Three quarter view. White background.

A box of blades for scarificators.

L. Gillespie's case of scarificators and a tourniquet

A young man with elaborate scarification on his face. Photograph.

A young man with elaborate scarification on his face. Photograph.

Nigeria: two examples of scarification in Munshi women, Katsina Ala. Photograph.

Vaccination par le B.C.G. par scarifications cutanées / L. Nègre et J. Bretey.

Buka, Solomon Islands: a man with elaborate scarification on his face. Photograph.

Des avantages des scarifications non-sanglantes dans quelques espèces d'hydropisie / [Pierre Jean Roucher].

Stay in the know

Wellcome collectionWellcome Collection

Finding us:

Opening times:

Today's opening times

Wellcome collection