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Vessels (Containers), Implements, utensils, etc., Medical instruments and apparatus

Bleeding bowl

  • 1752

Rights

No Copyright Public Domain

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Bowls like this one were used to catch the blood released by bleeding. The appearance of blood was a useful diagnostic tool for physicians, who examined it for clues about the body's internal state. This large bowl was capable of holding a great deal of blood, but its maker encouraged moderation by stamping "BLEED ME LIGHT" in the basin.

Property Value
Format
  • Physical Object
Genre
  • Implements, utensils, etc.
  • Medical instruments and apparatus
  • Vessels (Containers)
Medium
  • Brass
Extent
  • 3.5 in. H x 15 in. Diam.
Inscription
  • (Base of bowl) "BLEED ME LIGHT"
  • (On lip, across from notch) "1752"
  • (Clockwise from leftmost part of notch) "OL / TE / L? / MM / HW / BT / LM"
Subject
  • Blood
  • Bloodletting
  • Medicine
  • Phlebotomy
Rights Public Domain Mark 1.0
Credit line
  • Courtesy of Science History Institute

Physical location

Department
  • Museum
Exhibited in
  • Permanent Exhibition

Related Items

  • Beckman System 1 Glucose/BUN Analyzer
  • Beckman System 1 Glucose/BUN Analyzer
  • Memo from James C. Sternberg to R. J. Steinmeyer

Cite as

Science History Institute. Bleeding Bowl. Photograph, 2017. Science History Institute. Philadelphia. https://digital.sciencehistory.org/works/hq37vp25j.

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Rights

No Copyright Public Domain

Download all 2 images

PDFZIPof full-sized JPGs

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Small JPG800 x 602px — 67.9 KBMedium JPG1200 x 904px — 126 KBLarge JPG2880 x 2169px — 650 KBFull-sized JPG9036 x 6806px — 5.5 MBOriginal fileTIFF — 9036 x 6806px — 176 MB
Science History Institute

Bleeding bowl

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Rights

No Copyright Public Domain

Download all 2 images

PDFZIPof full-sized JPGs

Download selected image

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The Science History Institute recognizes there are materials in our collections that may be offensive or harmful, containing racist, sexist, Eurocentric, ableist, or homophobic language or depictions. The history of science is not exempt from beliefs or practices harmful to traditionally marginalized groups. The Institute is engaged in ongoing efforts to responsibly present and address the evidence of oppression and injustice inextricable from the history of science. If you would like to learn more about our ongoing efforts or if you encounter harmful, inaccurate, or insufficient descriptions, please contact us at digital@sciencehistory.org.

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