Medical Device, or Torture Device?Medical Device, or Torture Device?

This counter irritant, from around 1870, may not look threatening. But underneath its cap are three circular rows totaling 35 needles, all for the purpose of puncturing the flesh. Lubricating oil was optional. The idea was to raise blisters and release whatever "force" was causing the illness. This one was a manual model. Others were spring-loaded. Either way, that's a lot of irritation.

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Image courtesy of M. Donald Blaufox, MD (www.mohma.org).