Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology

"Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology" by Audrey Davis and Toby Appel is a scientific catalog written in the late 20th century. This work delves into the extensive history and variety of bloodletting instruments housed in the National Museum of History and Technology, documenting their evolution, usage, and significance in medical practice over the centuries. The book aims to bridge the gap between the artifacts and their historical context, focusing on the instruments used in this once-common medical practice. The opening of the book establishes the historical roots of bloodletting as a prominent medical practice across cultures and time, explaining various methodologies and instruments, such as lancets, cupping devices, and leeches, used for therapeutic purposes. It outlines the dual categories of bloodletting techniques: general and local, detailing their purposes and tools throughout history. The introduction also contextualizes the Smithsonian collection itself, emphasizing its role as a resource for understanding the nature of medical practice and the variety of instruments that were developed to facilitate bloodletting.