Bloodletting is the removal of blood from a person with the intent to manage diseases and health conditions. Bloodletting was believed to help rid the body of impure fluids, and it was practiced antiquity until the 19th century, when modern medicine emerged, as a way to prevent or cure illness.
The fleam, typically with multiple blades, was placed over the vein. It was then struck with a fleam stick (a small wooden club) to quickly penetrate the vein. This resulted in a controlled incision to release blood, with the intention of cure certain illnesses. Today, it is recognized as being largely ineffective and potentially harmful.
Many fleams only had a few blades and measured a few inches in length. This particular bloodletting tool has multiple blades and is quite large. See measurements in photos.
