Civil War Surgeons Bleeder

Civil War Surgeon’s Bleeder recovered from battlefield. Click picture and "Detailed Description". 

Civil War Surgeon’s Bleeder. It has a brass body and four iron blades inside. It measures approximately 4” x 1 ¼”. The iron blade would cut the skin to release the “bad blood”. Many Civil War surgeons continued the practice of bloodletting, simply because they had no other answer for treating the wounded or ill soldier. It can safely be said that this practice never benefited the patient and in many cases did more harm by causing infection. This bleeder was excavated at a Confederate campsite in Richmond, Virginia. When found, the blades were unattached from the brass frame, but it is complete. There are examples of this bleeder in The Civil War Collectors Encyclopedia by Francis Lord and in Civil War Medical Instruments and Equipment, by Dr. Gordon Dammann (see pictures). Civil War excavated medical items are very difficult to find, so take advantage to add it to your Civil War or Medical collection. The glass top display case is also included.