Description: Thumb lancets are an example of an earlier bloodletting instrument which was introduced in the 15th century. The thumb lancet is a small device which contains a thin steel blade protected by a polished turtle-shell cover. This particular instrument is believed to have belonged to a Dr. Cox due to the inscription: “Cox. Surgeon.” In addition, the phrase “Asplice et Imitare” is inscribed on the side which, directly translated from Latin, means: “Apply and Imitate.”
Origin: Circa 1800s; London, England
Manufacturer: Weiss