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Description:
It is likely that this was a glass used for cupping procedures. A glass cupping device could also be used to raise a blister on the skin to lance for bleeding or to increase bleeding at the puncture sight. A small incision was made in the patient and a piece of lint placed in the cup and ignited; the open end of the cup was placed over the incision or wound creating a vacuum which drew the desired amount of blood out. Bleeding was an ancient method of treating patients that was still in use during the Civil War, but the practice became increasingly unpopular as the war progressed. Colorless, lead glass, free blown, U-shaped glass cup with folded over rim and pointed base, ground pontil mark on base, there are two air bubbles (one large) in the glass.

Tags:
medicine

Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2021.16.7

Research on objects in the collections, including provenance, is ongoing and may be incomplete. If you have additional information or would like to learn more about a particular object, please email fc-museums-web@fivecolleges.edu.