Bleeding dish used by a barber or surgeon

A bleeding dish was used to catch blood when an artery was cut with a knife. This procedure was carried out by both surgeons and barbers. This pewter bleeding dish, of the type used by barbers, was made in Edinburgh and dates from the 18th century.

Barber-surgeon's bleeding dish in pewter

In the 18th century, surgeons and barbers were to be found in the majority of Scotland's main towns. Barbers not only cut hair and shaved, but also drew teeth and 'let blood', a practice which was seen as a cure for many ailments.

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