A beautiful scarificator marked ‘Kolb’ in its original embossed box dating to the late 18th early 19th century. Kolb of Vienna specialised in phlebotomy instruments and these rare pieces are much sought after.

There is an adjusting screw to alter the depth of cut. The mechanism works well, but there is no ‘cock’ mechanism as commonly seen in 19th C scarificators and this in conjunction with the pointed blades is an indication of its earlier origins.

• From the Phisick collection