Spring Lancet Case

This wooden box, likely crafted in Austria, was designed to house an early 19th-century spring lancet, a medical instrument used during the practice of bloodletting. In an era when many illnesses were believed to be caused by an imbalance of blood, or plethora, the practice of bloodletting was considered a cure all, where physicians carefully drained a precise amount of blood in an attempt to restore health and balance. The box’s design reflects its intended purpose, specifically accommodating these tools, but it also served a broader social function. In the 19th century, surgical instruments communicated medical expertise, along with the prestige and social standing of physicians.
The design of the box reflects both utility and status. The leather exterior conveys an understated elegance, suggesting a medical practice guided by refined simplicity. Yet, another aspect of the box’s social function is revealed when it is opened. The exterior marbled paper with swooping green and black patterns has faded with time, leaving only the ink that transferred to the wood. Luckily, the interior paper retains its delicate floral motifs that soften the harsh reality of surgical practice. This juxtaposition reflects an attempt to distance the more unsettling aspects of bloodletting from the physician’s cultivated, gentlemanly identity.
This object was more than just a tool for healing; it was an emblem of the physician’s place in an elite field of intellectuals. Surgical cases served as a tangible expression of their owner’s expertise, education, and high social standing. In a time of medical advancement, this instrument case communicated that the owner was not only a skilled care provider, but also a respected and accomplished member of society.

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Osborn, Catherine. “The Spring-Lancet, A ‘Bloodstain’d Faithful Friend!’” Dittrick Medical History Center, 2017. https://artsci.case.edu/dittrick/2014/07/24/the-spring-lancet-a- bloodstaind-faithful-friend/#:~:text=To%20use%20the%20lancet%2C%20the,into%20 the%20patient%20%5B3%5D.