Cupping snappers
A cupping sniper , often also referred to as a sniper for short , is a device for scratching the skin during cupping or bloodletting .
Technical structure and functionality
A cupping sniper usually consists of a cuboid, octagonal or cylindrical brass capsule in which there are several horizontal waves. The shafts each carry a plurality of small lancet from steel . With the help of a lever, the shafts can be rotated around their axis, whereby a spring is tensioned at the same time . When tensioned, the mechanism is automatically locked. Both in the cocked and in the unstressed state, the blades are completely inside the capsule. After placing the capsule on the skin, the lock is released at the push of a button and the shafts quickly turn back to their rest position. The blades describe a circular arc-shaped path, swiveling out of the capsule, scratching the skin underneath and then disappearing again into the capsule.
Later Schnepper had a screw with the help of which the bottom of the capsule could be moved and thus the cutting depth could be adjusted. In addition, with some snaps the mechanism could also engage in the half-cocked position, i.e. with the lancets swiveled out.
history
The first cupping snappers were developed in the 15th century in order to be able to scratch the skin more quickly and therefore more painlessly. The Schnepper was most widespread in the 19th century. Today they are no longer used in medicine because the internal mechanism is difficult to clean and pathogens can therefore easily be transmitted.
It is based on the "cupping mechanism" of the leech , with whose three cutting teeth it scratches the victim's skin in order to then suck blood. A bloodletting is the imitation of this process with technical means.
Web links
- Scarifications and Bleeder Medical Antiques - English language page with numerous pictures
- Inscribed Viennese scarificators - engl.