Pharmacy leech jar

Made:
1831-1870 in England and England and
Pharmacy leech jar, marbled and gilt earthenware Pharmacy leech jar, marbled and gilt earthenware Pharmacy leech jar, marbled and gilt earthenware Pharmacy leech jar, marbled and gilt earthenware Pharmacy leech jar, marbled and gilt earthenware Pharmacy leech jar, marbled and gilt earthenware

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Pharmacy leech jar, marbled and gilt earthenware
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Pharmacy leech jar, marbled and gilt earthenware
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Pharmacy leech jar, marbled and gilt earthenware
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Pharmacy leech jar, marbled and gilt earthenware
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Pharmacy leech jar, marbled and gilt earthenware
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Pharmacy leech jar, marbled and gilt earthenware
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Pharmacy leech jar, marbled and gilt earthenware, perhaps Staffordshire, English, 1830-1870

Leeches were used in bloodletting – a practice once carried out to treat a wide range of diseases and medical conditions. This jar was used to hold leeches which would have been on sale to medical practitioners. They are a type of worm with suckers at both ends of the body although only the frontal sucker, which has teeth, is used to feed. Once attached to a living body, they feed on blood. They can live for quite a while between meals, so the lid has holes in the top to allow air into the jar.

Leeches were such a popular treatment that by 1830 their demand outstripped the supply. Leeches are again being used today following plastic and reconstructive surgery as they help restore blood flow and circulation.

Details

Category:
Medical Ceramic-ware
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A637617
Materials:
earthenware, fine grained
Measurements:
overall: 360 mm x 240 mm x 240 mm, 3.43 kg
type:
leech jar
credit:
Loan, Wellcome Trust