Bloodletting is a medical practice popular in Medieval Europe although it existed since ancient Egypt. Erasistratus believed that illnesses were caused by an overabundance of blood. The blood was drained from the patient with the use of tools such as the lancet and dripped into bleeding bowls. There were alternative techniques to cutting such as leeches and cupping. These will be depicted in the designs for my game.
Barbers:
In 1163 church prohibited monks and priest from performing Bloodletting. I could use this fact as a plot device for my game and create a conflict between the exorcists employed by the church and the barbers who perform bloodletting as a form of exorcism. Church would be represented as a richer and powerful establishment where as the barbers would be represented as more of an underground, street service. Barber Surgeons became responsible for treatments such as Bloodletting. The barber pole is red, blue and white to represent blood, vain and bandages.
Tools for Bloodletting:
Most commonly used on animals but fleams with smaller blades were used on humans too. I might put these in the interior of the barbershop but I wouldn’t use these as the main bloodletting tool in the game. I’m looking for something of more elegant and/or elaborate design.
Apparently the lancets that came in cases used to have dedications from other physicians or even patients who enjoyed being bleed. I’m considering using this for the main bloodletting tool in the game because I can add elaborate carvings to it’s design. I also prefer it aesthetically. I will most likely have a dedication carved into it because I really like that small detail from history. It would make for a good Easter egg for my game.
Developed in the 18th century it was the more comfortable tool used on humans. It was made out of brass and the blade was made out of steel. I like how it looks aesthetically but I still prefer the regular lancet because it looks a bit more brutal. I might have it used by a side character in the game however. I do want it present in one way or another.
Popularized in the 18th and 19th century Europe the case was made out of bras and the blade out of steel same as the spring lancet. The depth could be adjusted on the top and release switch was positioned on the side which allowed the blades to make multiple cuts at the same time. Round shaped Scarificators were French. I like the aesthetic of these and will most probably include them in my designs but with more carvings on the case.
The glass would be heated up to extract the blood. There are a few different techniques of cupping but I don’t need to research these in depth for this project. I will most likely include a design of a cupping kit.
I will most likely include a vessel with leeches in it but not as a main design.
These were usually made out of tin or pewter and rarely out of silver. I will definitely include these in my designs.
Bibliography
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/dr-lindsey-fitzharris/the-bloody-history-behind-barbers-pole_b_3537716.html
http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/why-are-barber-poles-red-white-and-blue
http://www.history.com/news/a-brief-history-of-bloodletting
http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/7-unusual-ancient-medical-techniques
http://www.medicalantiques.com/medical/Scarifications_and_Bleeder_Medical_Antiques.htm
http://www.rauantiques.com/library/scientific%20antiques/collecting-medical-antiques-COLLECTINGMEDICALANTIQUESLIB.html