Bleedletting Minature Portable Leech Jar 19th Century

Description

Bleedletting Minature Portable Leech Jar 19th Century. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail. Used.
This is a original 19th century miniature portable Leech Jar 2”tall x 2 1/4” wide with decorative etched fern leaves in the jar.This a lots hand blown “character” in the glass, ( striations ,a bubble that feeds like chip inside the jar.
These jars were made for use by the physician or local pharmacist for holding one or more day’s supply of leeches in water . This jar has a recurved lip for tying gauze or muslin over the top. These clear glass jars were the most practical for containing and dispensing the leeching and for observing their number and activity. The leeches themselves were excellent instruments of bloodletting . They made the incisions more delicately than mechanical scarificators, drew blood more simply than bleeding cups and burners and supplied their own remarkable anti clotting agent.
In the beginning years of the Civil War , leeching was still used as a treatment of local bleeding as well as other methods of venesection were rapidly being abandoned as the War years progressed and knowledge of medicine and bleeding wounds increased.
Sellers Notes: Please carefully examine the photos to determine the condition of the Leech Jar.
Thank you for looking !