Revolutionary War Medical Bleeding Kit, as in museums and books

Being offered are more early pieces coming out of an old Revolutionary War collection. Much of the collection was artillery related, but also there is a large portion of personal and medical items. Being offered is a brass bleeding bowl, measuring 10” x 7 ½” x 2” deep, a brass bleeder, measuring 4” x 1 ¾” in the closed position, and a glass cupping bowl, measuring 2” x 1 ½”. There are examples of these items in the “Colonial Williamsburg” and the “Guilford Revolutionary War Museum” (see pictures).

These glass cups were used during the 18th century for medical cupping procedures. The clear glass cup shows the signs of very early manufacture. It was believed that cupping or blistering was another way to rid the body of bad blood.

The Bleeding Bowl has a cut-away for placing it into the crook of the elbow (the most common place for bloodletting). Barbers also used these bowls in the 18th Century. They undertook minor surgery and dentistry, and many of them travelled as itinerant physicians. Bloodletting was common during the Revolutionary War, even into the Civil War.

The bleeder or [fleam] was used to pierce the skin to release “bad blood”. Many 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 is the first time these items have been on the open market. They definitely merit a place in an advanced collection or museum. These pieces would make a great addition to any Revolutionary War or Medical display.

With the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding this year, interest in Revolutionary War relics is expected to significantly increase. This renewed enthusiasm will drive demand for virtually all Revolutionary War artifacts, further contributing to their scarcity and rising prices.

Already, I am witnessing a notable uptick in purchases of these items, which reflects the growing anticipation for the anniversary and the heightened value of Revolutionary War memorabilia.