A 19th Century vaccinating scarificator by Tiemann

A rare instrument as vaccination was more commonly done with a single lancet or blade, and scarificators tended to be used for bleeding. The 4 blades would be dipped into a smallpox (or other) vaccinating solution. Pushing the steel piston against a spring loaded barrel cocks the blades under tension. Once applied to the skin they were released forwards by pushing the catch. A screw mechanism which allows a variable depth of cut. In working order and housed in its velvet lined fitted leather case.  The body of the instrument is marked Tiemann & Co.

• From the Phisick collection