M0016160: Mechanical Leech, invented by Kidston & Co. 1850

Previous title, replaced March 2022: Mechanised Leech, invented by Messrs. Kidsten & co. 1850.

Photograph of a mechanical leech and a glass cylinder and piston. The blades of the lancet are designed to give a puncture resembling that of a natural leech. After puncture, blood is drawn off by means of the glass cylinder and piston. The item was acquired by the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum at an unknown point and accessioned in 1950 (accession number R133/1950). It is now held by the Science Museum (object number A600122). Related images: M0016159

June 1957

1 photograph glass plate negative; 10.2 x 12.7 cm

Wellcome Collection holds the accession register which provides an entry for the item: accession number R133/1950.

Copyright is held by Wellcome Collection

Catalogue data comes from a combination of entries in the original glass plate registers, metadata created when the glass plates were digitised in the early 2000s and enhancements made by the cataloguer in 2021.

Please consult the digitised version as this item is fragile. Email library@wellcomecollection.org to request access to the physical item.